Geprüfte Sicherheit

With the Seal Certified safety (GS mark ) is a ready for use product certifies that it meets the requirements of § 21 of the Product Safety Act ( ProdSG ). These requirements are substantiated by " measure and number " especially in DIN standards and European standards or other generally recognized rules of technology. The certification was introduced in 1977 to the user and third parties under normal and foreseeable conditions of use ( the non-harmonized area, ie without a European default) protect and compliance with the European requirements ( in the harmonized area ) of damage to life and limb.

The GS mark is still the only legally regulated Approval in Europe for product safety. The CE marking is required for certain products, but is of the manufacturer or distributor's a statement that it complies with all European requirements (directives and / or regulations ). All other characters such as ENEC, VDE, OVE, TUV, BG are private character of each inspection or certification bodies or agreements between test houses.

• 2.1 competition with CE
• 2.2 Consideration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs)

Importance

In the GS test is to check whether the product meets the requirements of § 21 ProdSG in terms of ensuring the protection of the health and safety of persons. This includes the requirements of the European directives and / or regulations that will be implemented with the ProdSG and its regulations (eg Low Voltage Directive or the Machinery Directive ). Not included in the testing and certification for the GS label are European directives that do not provide for the CE marking, but not focused on health and safety (eg EMC Directive 2004/108/EC Ecodesign Directive 2009/ 125 / EC, Measuring Instruments Directive ( 2004/22/EC ). the manual is a product component, ie without manual, the product is not complete. functional tests include the GS mark only as far as the scope of testing, as is required for the verification of safety. , the GS character is thus no general quality characters., the quality of the life of a product is not checked. the GS mark means that are authorized by the German state laboratory has tested the product on the basis of a model and a production monitoring is carried out.

As a rule, access the manufacturer ( see the definition in § 2 No. 14 ProdSG ) from both quality assurance reasons as well as for marketing purposes on the GS mark back. The buyer therefore has to be confirmed by an independent agency by the manufacturer that the product is safe in the sense of ProdSG. The GS mark can be awarded for products ready for use (for example, machinery, hand tools, toys, electrical appliances, lighting, household appliances or furniture). Bodies that may award a GS mark will be designated by the Central Authority of the Laender for Safety.

Comparison with the CE marking

The GS mark is in contrast to the CE marking voluntary. "CE " must be affixed by the manufacturer mandatory. He confirms that its products conform to the applicable European internal market law. It is thus for the supervisory authorities of those responsible for these products.

Legal

In order to be allowed to affix the GS mark and to obtain a product-related certificate, the manufacturer of the product by an approved inspection ( GS body ) must undergo a type approval test. A list of all GS bodies is available at the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

To maintain the certificate, the GS body performs control measures (for example, monitoring of the manufacturing site ). In the control measures is checked whether the product produced or the type tested complies or changes were made. This usually annual inspection includes a review of the quality system and the final exam.

If significant changes to the product, the manufacturer shall inform the GS body. Relevant changes are any changes that may affect the conformity with the ProdSG and are mainly deviations from the test report drawn up by the testing laboratory. The GS body must check whether the changes made depending on require a change of the test report or an investigation. Depending on the change, the modified product of a repeated post-test is subjected.

Competition with CE

The EU Commission has proposed a legislative package on 14 February 2007 that Germany would have to abolish the GS mark. In the proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a common regulatory framework for the marketing of products, Article 16 (2):

" The CE marking is the only marking which attests the conformity of the product with the applicable requirements. With conformity to the provisions on CE marking in the legislation, Member States shall refrain from introducing any reference to a conformity marking other than the CE marking into their national regulations or shall withdraw such. "

The Member States and the European Parliament have not incorporated this proposal from the European Commission. In Article 30 of Regulation ( EC) 765/2008 it is now in paragraph 5 above requirements for accreditation and market surveillance:

" The application of markings, signs or inscriptions which are likely to mislead third parties with meaning or the meaning or form of the CE marking shall be prohibited, is prohibited. Any other marking may be affixed to the product provided it does not affect visibility, legibility and meaning of the CE marking. "

Since the GS mark has always had a different meaning than the CE marking, the award without any changes as far is possible.

Consideration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs)

Since 1 April 2008, a test must be considered when awarding the GS mark in accordance with a decision of the " Committee for Technical Work Equipment and Consumer Products ( AtAV ) " November 20, 2007 to be considered on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This test must ( ZLS) are applied binding for products according to the requirements of Section 4.1 of the PAH document CEC 01-08 for safety technology according to definition of the Central Authority of the Laender. This applies to all products that may contain PAHs and to be touched during its intended use. Thus, it affects, for example, plastic or rubber handles of tools, household materials and devices based on polymers or were provided with coatings that may contain PAHs. The PAH document CEC ( Central Experience Exchange circles) 01-08 " testing and evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the GS- Mark Certification " also ensures that all of these testing by leading laboratories use a uniform test method for the determination of PAH content.