INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Marketing agreement: Ropak Laboratories, a developer of laboratory tests that offer an alternative to live-animal testing of cosmetics and eye-care products, said it has reached agreement with a Brazilian firm to market Ropak products in South America.

“Companies in Brazil, serving 140 million population, are eager to utilize these new safety testing technologies and will play a pivotal role in transferring the science throughout South America,” said Hamilton dos Santos, president of Tecnotests Produtos e Servicos Ltda. of Sao Paulo.

Ropak President William Fisher said Dos Santos is familiar with the South American cosmetic and personal care industries and is knowledgeable about South American trade and regulatory issues.

The Irvine company said the deal includes its new product, Solatex, which is used to help determine if a product is likely to cause skin irritation during exposure to the sun.