PMA Announces World-Class Global Certification Program Delivering Seamless Wireless Charging Experience for Consumers

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Power Matters Alliance (PMA), the world leading standardization body in the field of wireless charging, today announced partnerships with three industry leading certification test labs, including Underwriters Laboratories (UL), AT4 wireless (AT4), and TUV Rheinland (TUV). The three labs will serve as testing grounds for PMA member companies wishing to certify products using the PMA standard. Certification coverage will span the globe with locations in U.S., Europe, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and China. This network of laboratories will support companies anywhere they are located, offering a world-class program to get products tested quickly and efficiently.

The PMA also announced today that it has partnered with Averna, a National Instruments (NASDAQ: NATI) Platinum Alliance Partner and RF and Wireless Specialty Partner, to provide best-in-class automated testing equipment for certifying finished products and for validating products during development. Averna's test solution features hardware and software from National Instruments as well as Averna's industry-leading test engineering expertise, gained from working closely with worldwide clients in numerous industries, including communications, electronics, defense and aerospace, as well as other standards bodies.

The PMA is already pre-certifying PMA compliant receiver products that are debuting at retailers and will continue to do so while the certification tester from Averna is being developed.  The full certification program is targeted to launch early January 2014 for receiver products. UL has been selected by the PMA as the lead lab for the PMA certification program. UL Verification Services will work closely with PMA and Averna in the validation of the test tool, training of the other participating labs, and hosting PlugFests.

"As the wireless charging category matures, the need for global interoperability across multiple industries and products is mandatory to ensure accelerated market growth," said Ron Resnick, PMA President. "Consumers want to know that they can power up their devices wherever they go, and that charging their devices works seamlessly wherever they go. It's our job to ensure that they do. With over 1,500 wireless charging spots already installed in public and retail venues such as Starbucks and McDonalds, the PMA standard is the undisputed paradigm for wireless charging delivery worldwide."

"Creating a quality user experience for consumers is essential for AT&T and this means making sure every detail of compatibility has been well thought out and tested before products hit the shelves," said Jeff Howard, VP Mobile Device Portfolio, AT&T.

By AT&T asking its device suppliers for PMA-only supported handsets for their 2014 lineup, it completes a critical link in the wireless charging ecosystem. To ensure that equipped devices are fully interoperable with wireless charging spots, these four new PMA partnerships are building a world-class certification program and certification network capable of ensuring interoperability for consumers across the global wireless charging ecosystem.

"As wireless charging technology becomes ubiquitous it will be critical to have a comprehensive certification program in place ensuring quick consumer adoption and satisfaction." according to Mike Kuo, General Manager UL Verification Services. Mr. Kuo also stated, "UL Verification Services is looking forward to working with the PMA, their world renowned members, and the outstanding development staff of Averna. We are excited to be collaborating with our friends and colleagues at AT4 wireless and TUV Rhineland in helping manufacturers to bring the highest quality products from around the world to the marketplace."

For more information on the Power Matters Alliance, please visit: http://www.powermatters.org.

About Power Matters Alliance

PMA is a global, not-for-profit standards organization chartered to ensure global interoperability for wireless charging. PMA was founded by Powermat Technologies and Procter & Gamble in 2012. The PMA board includes AT&T, Duracell, Starbucks and the US Government's Energy Star (non-voting). PMA compatible 'wireless charging spots' have been installed at leading coffee shops, airports, stadiums, restaurants, gyms and more and PMA-compliant products are available at leading retailers. Membership in the PMA is open to all, and its technical specifications are available to all members at www.powermatters.org.

About UL            

UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for 120 years. Its more than 10,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit http://www.ul.com.

About AT4 wireless

AT4 wireless is a leading network of testing laboratories offering world-class services for carrier device acceptance, performance, conformance, regulatory, field, functional and interoperability testing as well as worldwide compliance and type approval consulting over 200 countries.

AT4 wireless offers testing, consultancy, development and training services to a wide range of industries including telecommunication, automotive, health, consumer electronics, and safety, on wireless and mobile solutions. AT4 wireless offers a "one-stop shop" service for telecommunication industry testing and compliance, ensuring our clients an efficient access to the global market.  AT4 wireless was founded in 1991, it has more than 270 employees all around the world and provides services and support to its international clients through its headquarters in Malaga, Spain and its testing laboratories in the United States, Taiwan and Japan*.

* Japan's AT4 wireless testing lab in cooperation with Toyo Inc.

About TUV Rheinland

TUV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded more than 140 years ago. The Group maintains a presence at around 500 locations in 65 countries with 17,000 employees. The independent experts stand for quality and safety for people, the environment, and technology in nearly all aspects of life. TUV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects and helps to shape processes for companies. Its experts train people in a wide range of careers and industries.  TUV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centres. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com

About Averna

Averna is a premier manufacturing solution provider for communications and electronics device-makers worldwide, helping them deliver a better end-user customer experience. Key Averna clients in the communications, aerospace, defense, automotive, consumer electronics, and medical device industries use Proligent, RF Test Instruments, and other test solutions to accelerate product development, reduce manufacturing costs, achieve superior quality throughout the lifecycle, and solve critical supply-chain issues. Averna has offices and sales partners around the world. Incorporated in 1999, Averna is a Best in Test award winner, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® recipient, and has been honored as one of the Deloitte Fast 500 fastest-growing technology companies in North America. www.averna.com

About National Instruments

Since 1976, National Instruments (www.ni.com) has equipped engineers and scientists with tools that accelerate productivity, innovation and discovery. NI's graphical system design approach to engineering provides an integrated software and hardware platform that speeds the development of any system needing measurement and control. The company's long-term vision and focus on improving society through its technology supports the success of its customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders.

SOURCE Power Matters Alliance