History
ICRT was formally set up as a not for profit association under United Kingdom law in 1990 but it is based on a long tradition of co-operation between independent consumer organisations since the 1960s.
- 1968 – The first joint tests between the Dutch and Belgian organisations included hairdryers, dishwashers, stereo receivers and model trains. A test of hotels in Majorca was also joined by Germany.
- 1972 – The name European Testing Group (ETG) was adopted.
- 1974 – By now twelve organisations were attending ETG meetings including those from The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, UK, France, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Austria.
- 1982 – ETG Secretariat moved to London and an increasing number of collaboarative tests were carried out each year
- 1990 – A new organisation – International Consumer Research & Testing was created to formalise the arrangements of the ETG.
- 1991 – First European Commission (EC)-funded project “Comparative Testing in Europe” completed. This laid the basis for discussion about future ICRT EC-funded comparative testing projects.
- 1992 – First ICRT Guidelines issued
- 1995 – ICRT became a founder member of the Euro NCAP crash test programme
- 1999 – Guido Adriaenssens appointed CEO. ICRT now has 26 members
- 2002 – Nordic Testing Group formed.
- 2004 – Consumers Union (USA) joins ICRT, Asia-Pacific Regional Group met for the first time
- 2007–2010 Capacity building in new EU Member States lead to formation of Central & Eastern Europe Regional Group in 2010
- 2008 – Worldwide test on breakfast cereals published – joined by 30 partners
- 2010 – Latin NCAP launched
- 2011 – ICRT has 43 member organisations, launch of Global NCAP
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