Cologne, Germany - German product-testing company TUV Rheinland Group said Monday its turnover in Asia is rising steadily, 30 years after it set up its first laboratory in Tokyo to certify Europe-bound exports as safe and compliant with standards.

Currently the company employs more than 2,600 people in 14 Asian nations in a variety of business sectors, TUV Rheinland said. The Asian division now has its headquarters in the port city of Yokohama near Tokyo.

The Cologne-based group had 160 million euros (250 million dollars) in sales last year in Asia, or 17 per cent of its overall turnover. In 2003, Asian business amounted to just 14 per cent of the total. The Asia activities began in 1978 with the Tokyo office.

The company said it was looking to expand in certifying photovoltaic electricity generation systems as that industry expands in Asia. It would set up its certification teams in China, where a growing number of the world solar manufacturers have factories.

Currently TUV Rheinland has more than 1,400 staff in China working from 20 cities.

Asian manufacturers can approach TUV Rheinland to check if their products face any regulatory problems when exported to other nations. TUV charges for advice on both legal issues and quality requirements in specific export markets.

The TUV laboratories typically take apart toys, therapeutic devices, tools, fitness devices, footwear and consumer electronic items to look for any features that might put the manufacturer at risk of being sued or breaking another country's laws.

TUV consultants have also advised Taiwan on implementing a road- pricing system and South Korea on how to avoid accidents with magnetic-levitation trains. In Japan, clients are increasingly hiring the company to assess the quality of management systems. (dpa)