BENTONVILLE, Ark, May 18, 2026 – SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, opens its new Bicycle, eMobility and Transit Packaging Testing Laboratory in Bentonville, Arkansas – expanding its global network and strengthening support for manufacturers serving North American and international markets.
Located at 2310 SW 14th Street, the facility officially opens on May 18 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house attended by local partners and industry stakeholders. The new lab will focus on quality, development and safety testing to global regulatory standards for US bicycle and e-bike suppliers, assemblers and manufacturers.
As part of the opening celebrations, SGS is partnering with PeopleForBikes the US bicycle industry's trade association and a leading voice for growing ridership nationwide, and Wish for Wheels, a local nonprofit dedicated to improving the well-being of children and communities. They will build and donate more than 60 bicycles and helmets, to youth in underserved communities. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to riding, strengthening communities and delivering lasting impact beyond the industry.
"Opening this facility in Bentonville allows us to be part of a vibrant and growing community that is shaping the future of cycling," said Jay Suh, Head of Connectivity & Products, North America, SGS. "We're proud to invest in the region and support local initiatives that make cycling more accessible to and safe for everyone."
Strengthening the cycling industry in a strategic location
Bentonville has rapidly emerged as one of the leading cycling destinations in the United States, attracting businesses, events and investment linked to the sport and outdoor recreation. SGS's new lab adds advanced ISO/IEC 17025 and ISTA accredited testing capabilities that support both local and international companies developing bicycles, e-bikes and transit packaging.
In addition to its economic impact, the facility will help manufacturers ensure their products and transit packaging meet safety and performance standards before reaching consumers, supporting safer cycling experiences nationwide.
"Bentonville is quickly establishing itself as a leading hub for cycling innovation in North America," said Jose Maldonado, Chief Marketing Officer at PeopleForBikes. "SGS's investment in advanced testing infrastructure strengthens the entire bike ecosystem – from product development and safety to speed to market. This is the kind of industry collaboration that moves the business of bikes forward and supports continued growth in cycling and e-mobility."
Comprehensive bicycle and e-mobility testing services
The Bentonville lab offers testing services for bicycles, e-bikes, components, safety equipment and transit packaging, helping companies meet regulatory requirements and bring products to market efficiently. It joins SGS's network of bicycle testing laboratories established across Europe, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, and is equipped with the latest EFBE® bicycle testing instrumentation (EFBE was acquired by SGS in August 2025). The lab will also serve as the central transit packaging testing facility (e.g. ISTA) for SGS in North America.
SGS's integrated e-bike testing services help manufacturers, retailers and distributors navigate complex regulatory requirements, from electrical safety and battery performance to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), ensuring products meet the highest standards for safety, quality and market access.
SGS's commitment to cycling extends well beyond Bentonville. As the proud sponsor of the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, SGS sees the qualities that drive performance at the elite level – precision under pressure, team coordination, and consistency and resilience – as the same principles that underpin its performance culture and shape how it delivers for clients every day. From the UCI WorldTour peloton to the testing floor in Bentonville, to a child riding away on their first bike, SGS's support for the sport is grounded in disciplined execution and trust when it matters most.
Accreditation: ISO/IEC 17025 and ISTA
Testing capabilities include:
Mechanical durability and environmental testing (incline impact, compression, drop, vibration)
Transit and packaging testing (ISTA)
Standards and regulations supported include:
CPSC 16 CFR 1512 (bicycle safety)
ISO 4210 Bicycle Safety
EFBE Tri-Test
Our new Bentonville lab will work in tandem with our Suwanee, Georgia lab to deliver a fully integrated testing solution supporting the entire bicycle ecosystem:
Battery and electrical safety testing for e-bikes
UL/CSA 60950-1, 62368-1 (chargers)
47 CFR Part 15 (radio frequency devices)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing
UL 2849 (e-bike electrical systems)
UL 2271 (batteries)
About SGS
SGS is the world's leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is a national bicycle advocacy nonprofit and the U.S. bicycle industry's trade association representing more than 340 bicycle industry supplier members and nearly 1.4 million individual supporters. Through its three areas of influence – infrastructure, policy, and participation – PeopleForBikes accelerates the construction of safe, fun, and connected places to bike, advances pro-bike and pro-bike-business legislation, and reduces barriers to welcome more people to the joys of riding a bike. Join us at peopleforbikes.org and donate to support our work.
About Wish for Wheels
Wish for Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 with a mission to provide every child with their own bike and helmet. Through its Bike Build & Give program, the organization partners with companies and communities across the United States to build and donate brand-new bikes to children at Title I schools. Since its founding, Wish for Wheels has delivered more than 100,000 bikes while creating hands-on volunteer experiences that connect teams directly with the children and communities they support. Learn more at wishforwheels.org.
