Testfakta was founded in 2001, and has no ties to manufacturers, industry associations or interest groups. The operation has two divisions: Testfakta Editorial and Testfakta Research. Editorial is the Nordic region’s leading news agency for consumer journalism, and Research is commissioned by manufacturers, retailers, organisations and agencies that need quality and performance assessments. Testfakta Editorial delivers continuous, high-quality editorial content to the Nordic region’s leading daily newspapers and publications. Testfakta Research helps manufacturers, retailers, organisations and agencies to verify products’ quality and performance ahead of product launches and purchasing decisions. The operation is based on independent laboratory tests, irrespective of the assignment or client.
Testfakta was founded in 2001, and has no ties to manufacturers, industry associations or interest groups. The operation has two divisions: Testfakta Editorial and Testfakta Research. Editorial is the Nordic region’s leading news agency for consumer journalism, and Research is commissioned by manufacturers, retailers, organisations and agencies that need quality and performance assessments. Testfakta Editorial delivers continuous, high-quality editorial content to the Nordic region’s leading daily newspapers and publications. Testfakta Research helps manufacturers, retailers, organisations and agencies to verify products’ quality and performance ahead of product launches and purchasing decisions. The operation is based on independent laboratory tests, irrespective of the assignment or client.
Testfakta turns to a host of different laboratories for its tests, but the underlying process is always the same.
Step 1 Research: Basic analysis of the product’s application area, properties and technology and of the brands and variations available on the market.
Step 2 Test protocol: Definition of the relevant test parameters and development of a test protocol in consultation with the laboratories.
Step 3 Laboratory test: The products are tested in a laboratory environment by independent, certified laboratories in Testfakta’s network.
Step 4 Analysis: The results of the laboratory test are interpreted, assessed and summarised in consultation with the laboratory and external specialists.
Step 5 Presentation: Compilation and journalistic processing of the material.
Testfakta has tested roof boxes, bicycle helmets and electric bikes together with Norwegian automobile association NAF. The tests have, for example, highlighted safety risks and consequently attracted considerable media attention. Anne Haabeth Rygg is head of NAF’s consumer division. What was your main reason for commissioning Testfakta to perform the tests? “We find that Testfakta has a good network of test laboratories that can be used for many different tests. Also, Testfakta’s personnel are very meticulous, which gives us confidence that the results are accurate.” How important are Testfakta’s working methods for the impact of the test? “There’s a lot of interest in consumer information, both among our association’s members and in the Norwegian media. And if the test results are good this also makes for interesting reading. For example, the film that showed how the skis penetrate the roof box during a collision had a big ‘wow’ effect.” How do you view continued collaboration? “We intend to continue working with Testfakta and we have a lot of exciting plans to test new products in the future.”
