The World of the GS Test Mark The mark of
 guaranteed
market success
Many products are like "two peas in a pod". End
consumers often don't know what criteria they should apply when making their
decision. Who is able to immediately recognise the "inner values" of a device?
For manufacturers, dealers and importers who want to place their products on the
market successfully, it is therefore a question of displaying a mark standing
for safety! The GS mark, in existence for more than 20 years, is highly regarded
in the field of equipment safety. In the present market situation with products
from all over the world competing for consumers, the GS mark is more important
than ever. This mark, awarded by an independent testing institution such as TÜV
Rheinland Product Safety GmbH enjoys the trust of consumers. And not only in
Germany itself, but now also in neighbouring countries in East and West.
What can be tested?
The Safety Act on
Equipment, supplemented by current standards, forms the basis for testing and
approving every "usable working appliance" (this was the original description).
Be it a hair dryer or a tile cutter, a coffee percolator or garden shears -
around 3,500 different electrical and mechanical devices in daily use can be
safety-tested by TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH and awarded the GS mark. The
test laboratories are equipped to deal with the widest possible range of
products, as the following examples demonstrate:
- Household appliances
- Lamps
- Garden tools
- Sports equipment
- DIY machinery and tools
- Entertainment electronics
- Toys
- Baby and children's equipment
- Furniture
- Personal protective equipment
- Office equipment
- Laboratory equipment
How is testing carried out?
A sample of
the respective product is tested by TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH for its
operative soundness. In this connection, it is of critical importance that users
cannot injure themselves with or on the device. Sharp corners or edges are
faulted just as e.g. faulty electrical insulation or insufficient fasteners.
Equally important is the consumer information - instructions for use which are
understandable to the end consumer and which, if necessary, must include caution
warnings. A further indispensable part of the test is the monitoring of the
production procedure. TÜV experts check on site if all legal regulations and
standards are observed during the production process and whether the product
tested in serial production has the same quality characteristics as the sample.
Monitoring which is repeated at regular intervals after the test certificate has
been awarded. This is the only way to guarantee that the quality certified by
the GS mark is actually maintained permanently.
Service as a Marketing Tool for Safety
As
a "Named and Accredited Body" approved by the licensing authorities, TÜV
Rheinland Product Safety GmbH has extensive competencies. It is involved in
preparing test criteria and in updating standards and, as such, can provide its
business partner with the appropriate service. Customers who have their products
certified by TÜV experts are informed in good time of forthcoming changes to the
standards and can therefore prepare for them. This cooperation is also
particularly effective for manufacturers who turn to the test specialists as
early as in the product development phase. This means the necessary safety
margin can be "built in" from the very beginning. Specified criteria, e.g. to
acquire EC conformity, can also be taken into account at the same time at no
additional expense. With its know-how, TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH helps
to reduce costs, minimise the risks of product liability, and make devices
safer. The GS mark demonstrating voluntary testing and certification provides
manufacturers, importers and dealers with a marketing instrument in very
competitive markets. For consumers, the GS mark helps them to decide which
products to buy.
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