TORONTO, July 3 /PRNewswire/ --

- A European-based World Leader in the Hazardous Locations Testing 
Business

TORONTO, July 3 /PRNewswire/ --

Robert M. Griffin, President and CEO, CSA Group, today officially
announces that CSA Group has acquired SIRA Test and Certification Limited, a
world leader in the conformity assessment solutions field which specializes
in the testing of safety equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres,
and three affiliated companies. Four SIRA companies: SIRA Test and
Certification Limited (STC); SIRA Certification Service (SCS); SIRA
Environmental (SEL); and SIRA Consulting Limited (SCL), formerly owned by
Volvere plc (LON:VLE) of London, the United Kingdom were acquired as part of
the agreement for an initial cash consideration of (pnds stlg) 8M. SIRA will
operate as a business division of CSA International and the SIRA brand will
be retained and used in conjunction with the CSA International brand.

"The decision to acquire four SIRA companies is in alignment with CSA
Group's strategic objective to be among the world's largest safety certifiers
and is a component of CSA International's business strategy to focus on
Hazardous Locations testing," says Mr. Griffin. "As a combined company we
will extend to our clients facilitated access to European, North American and
other markets, in a specific fast-growing and complex testing business.
Adding SIRA will serve as an important building block in the global expansion
of CSA International's Hazardous Locations testing business and service
offerings."

SIRA has been at the forefront of Hazardous Locations business for more
than 25 years. SIRA is the UK's leading Notified Body (appointed by the
United Kingdom government) specializing in testing and certification of
equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. SIRA has
issued more than 3,000 product certificates, including more than 1,800 ATEX
(AtomsphÚres Explosibles) certificates and is also among the top
certification bodies issuing IECEx (International Trade of Electrical
Equipment used in Explosive Atmospheres) certificates of conformity.

"CSA International is the best fit for overall growth in terms of company
culture, shared business vision and SIRA's positioning as a part of a leading
global certification and testing organization," says Mike Shearman, Managing
Director, SIRA. "It is a perfect strategic business fit that will benefit our
clients not only in the certification service of products used within
explosive atmospheres, but also in certification solutions in the areas of
water and air emissions and specialized training. Jointly SIRA and CSA
International extend their lead in the hazardous location and environmental
certification markets."

SIRA examines and tests equipment against both European standards (EN)
for ATEX Directive 94/9/EC, and International (IEC) standards for an IECEx
Certificate of Conformity. SIRA also issues UKAS accredited product
certification against a range of other British, European and International
standards, as well as issues reports against other approval body standards.

Headquartered in Chester, and with labs/offices in Bakewell and Crayford,
the United Kingdom, the SIRA companies employ 55 people, including
specialized engineers and management. CSA Group has taken measures to ensure
that the transfer in ownership will result in a seamless transition of
services and employment for SIRA employees and SIRA clients. The acquisition
was enabled through the strategic M&A advisory firm of WAIN Management,
Paris, France.

For more information on SIRA or CSA International please visit:
http://www.siracertification.com http://www.csa-international.org or
http://www.gethazloc.com

About CSA Group

CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit membership association
serving business, industry, government and consumers. CSA Group consists of
three divisions: CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions
organization, providing standards development, application products, training
and advisory services; CSA International, which provides testing and
certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a
variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product
evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers.
For more, visit http://www.csagroup.org

For further information: Anthony Toderian, Senior Media Relations
Officer, CSA Group, T: +1-416-747-2620, E: anthony.toderian@csagroup.org