Product certification

As a mark or seal graphic or written markings of products, machines and vehicles are referred to, show the compliance with certain safety or quality criteria. Depending on the object they are attached or renewed after single or periodical audit.

Approvals are part of the product labeling. They are placed voluntarily by statutory requirements or by the producers.

One of the most well-known seal of approval is the so-called inspection sticker, which is attached as part of the main investigation on motor vehicles, or the certificate GS mark ( tested safety ).

Terminology, delineation of ' seal of approval '

Often this term is also used for quality or quality sign and seal. The linguistic distinction is not fixed; a demarcation possibility arises from the fact that "goodness" - or " quality mark " to represent a particular use quality or comfort while " mark " rather point to the audited compliance with safety-related properties. In some cases, however, arise overlaps both target directions.

Execution

Marks are placed in a set by the mark - carrier or the legislator design and at a prescribed location in accordance with the product. The watermarking can be mounted directly on the product or on the accompanying information and documentary evidence. The latter is especially the case with small products.

Other certification systems

There is a " CB Scheme " which facilitates the attainment of national certification mark for electrical and electronic products.

In many cases, "Test - judgments " as the Stiftung Warentest or Öko-Test are called seal of approval. Watch for signs of this kind is usually the individual test judgment ( eg " Very good") printed on it. So that they contain a single product rating and are in the proper sense no general " mark ", but evaluative " predicates ".

Approval with economic orientation as the E-mark, facilitate free trade, often based on standards or guidelines.