The question however is: do such products actually fulfill their purpose, or do they let us down at the decisive moment? In some fields the manufacturer himself can apply the required CE mark on the articles. In the field of personal protective clothing however a test is obligatory for many articles. It is often not immediately recognizable which article has undergone an EC type-examination before being awarded the legitimate CE marking. For manufacturers and consumers who would like certainty there is one excellent indication: the GS test mark. This mark indicates immediately that the product concerned has been safety-tested by an authorized and neutral body. TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH is such an institution.

The letters "GS" stand for "Geprüfte Sicherheit" or "Safety tested" and signalize that the goods conform to all applicable legal requirements. The test catalogue to acquire the GS test mark does not take in only the product characteristics. The production facility itself is also subjected to regular inspections so that the quality and safety level can be guaranteed.

At TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH, there are experienced specialists who have also developed special test programmers for hundreds of individual products for which at first no standards or other guidelines existed. In addition to safety, which always has priority, the test programmers also take into consideration product suitability for practical operation, fitness for use and the current market situation.

Are you a manufacturer of personal protective equipment? Then why not contact us. We will be pleased to help you on your way towards achieving increased safety and quality.

Safety helmets ( without motor cycle helmets)
Protective clothing
Eye protection devices
Protective devices against drowning
Motorcycle
       Motorcyclists' Clothing
       Motorcycle tank bags
       Motorcycle luggage system
       For motorcyclists
Riding

Cycling, mountaineering, riding, skiing, fast-water rides, hang gliding and roller skating are all examples of not entirely harmless types of sport or movement. Before however you race headlong into enjoying any of them, you should make sure you have appropriate protective headgear. The same of course applies to occupational activities where there are increased risks, such as for example in industry or in the fire service.

There are safety helmets for all of these and many other situations. In Europe there are harmonized standards for most safety helmets, which lay down the minimum requirements as regards safety. TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH carries out product tests in accordance with these criteria. They deal with many important details regarding the health and safety of the users. Ergonomic aspects for example are also taken into consideration: the helmet should adapt to fit the user's head, should not hinder him, should be as lightweight as possible etc. At the same time it must be sufficiently strong and offer the greatest possible degree of safety.

This is only a small selection of the many requirements which every type of safety helmet must fulfill if it is to pass the "TÜV" test or conform to the European Directives.

TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH offers tests for the following safety helmets: Cyclists' helmets, mountaineers' helmets, roller skaters' helmets, riding helmets, industrial protective helmets, firemen's helmets, ski helmets, aviation sport helmets, wild-water helmets, etc...

As manufacturers you are interested in improving internal quality structures or the manufacturing quality in order to save on costs or to achieve more success on the market.

At TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH we have the right contact person for you.

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The situation can sometime get heated for welders, can eat at chemists, or cut deep with butchers .... no matter what dangers a person is exposed to, all he or she wants to do is escape in one piece. That's why there is special protective clothing for many professions and many types of sport.

Harmonized European standards are intended to guarantee that protective clothing in each country offers the same protection. TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH is an authorized testing body and - in conformity with the standards - has developed test programmers for a large number of such products, as also for other products for which there is no European standard.

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"Head down and straight on!" is very seldom sensible advice. As a general rule it's important to see exactly just what you're doing. In other words, in the case of certain activities your eyes need special and considerably more protection than your own eyelids can possibly offer.

There is a whole series of protective products for people working in professions where there is a particular risk to their eyes and face. Such products prevent acute and lasting damage. By the same token, divers and swimmers in unknown waters or in chlorinated swimming pools should wear eye protection.

TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH tests in accordance with harmonized, European standards whether the eye protection products offered meet safety and health protection requirements. Some of the criteria applied are, for example: the protective article may only hinder the user's field of vision as little as possible. The eye protection device must have a degree of optical neutrality consistent with the type of work, be it more or less fine precision work and/or lengthy jobs. Models for people with seeing aids must be designed to allow glasses or contact lenses to be worn at the same time.

The following are some examples of the products on which TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH carries out tests: protective goggles, shields and helmets for welders, goggles and partial face guards as protection against risks from mechanical equipment, glasses and their frames for use as sport glasses or sun shades, diving and swimming goggles...

As manufacturers you are interested in improving internal quality structures or the manufacturing quality in order to save on costs or to achieve more success on the market.

Whichever - at TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH we have the right contact person for you.

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Protective devices against drowning

 

Down into the wet - and if possible back out again safely! That is sometimes easier said than done. Someone who has not (yet) learned how to keep his or her head above water, or who takes an unwanted dive overboard during a sailing manoeuvre needs more than just some good advice.

There are modern live-saving floats to keep us from going under: water wings, upper arm swimming aids, sport life jackets, rubber rings for babies and swimming learning aids...

The test performed by TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH in accordance with harmonised, European standards gives a guarantee of the actual safety of the products.

The following aspects among others are important:

The float must guarantee a degree of ability to swim commensurable with its expected use and offer positive support in the water. Under the foreseeable conditions of use this product must not hinder the freedom of movement of the user so as to allow him in particular to swim or to himself escape from danger or to help other people.

As manufacturers you are interested in improving internal quality structures or the manufacturing quality in order to save on costs or to achieve more success on the market.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us! We are looking forward to hearing from you!

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Motorcycle

 

Eating up the miles on two wheels with plenty of horsepower under you is many people's idea of an exciting hobby. Many others, however, simply use their motorbike as a useful means of transport. But no matter what your main reason or reasons may be for riding a motorbike, safety should always be given priority!

There are many products covering the whole motorbike scene. What is lacking, however, are uniform directives and standards specifying the basic quality and safety requirements to be met by these products. Numerous special testing programmes developed in many years of research work by TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH for these product groups provide some help. Thus it is now possible to help manufacturers achieve higher product quality and buyers to acquire more safety.

As an independent institution the TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH offers testing programmes for: motor cyclists' clothing, helmets, fuel tank bags and panniers...

These include, for example, testing the quality of the materials and workmanship, ergonomic aspects and harmlessness to health, functionality and minimum strengths, the cleaning, care, marking and instructions for use.

As manufacturers you are interested in improving internal quality structures or the manufacturing quality in order to save on costs or to achieve more success on the market.

At TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH we have the right contact person for you.

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Mark of Quality for Motorcyclists' Clothing
As a manufacturer of motorcyclists' clothing you want to expand and consolidate your market position. Your target groups are people who are really enthusiastic about this demanding and diverse hobby. In addition to younger consumers, the stratum of buyers includes an ever-increasing number in the "more mature" age brackets. These buyers place particularly high demands on quality, function and comfort.

The visible mark of quality

But how is the consumer to recognise at first glance whether or not the "leather combination" or the multifunctional textile clothes really do fulfil the promises they make? Motorcyclists' clothing in particular is subjected to a lot of wear and tear in daily use. High-quality material and workmanship are particularly important and all functions must be guaranteed. With such a wide range on offer, consumers again and again are at a loss to know what to choose.
The experts from TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH have the solution: the PROOF mark as orientation aid for the consumer. Motorcycle clothing displaying the PROOF mark from TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH - in short, TRPS - signalises immediately that the quality has been tested and certified by a neutral body!

Services for a successful company

As an independent institution, the TRPS is a competent service provider using sophisticated test procedures. For you as a manufacturer, testing and certification by TRPS of motorcycle clothing is an effective marketing instrument to give you that competitive edge. Additionally, there are a lot of other benefits for you in the process. Manufacturing quality is improved and stabilised, internal quality structures are optimised, and there is a marked reduction in costs and potential complaints. In addition, the results of the tests provide valuable information on new designs.

What is tested? How are the tests conducted?
1. Quality assurance measures in the production process form the first part of the testing programme to assess the quality of motorcycle clothing. The TRPS examines and assesses the quality assurance measures in the production plant. This is intended to cut out the element of chance in the articles submitted for testing. For the manufacturer, the aim is to minimise costly customer claims caused by fluctuating manufacturing tolerances and qualities.

2. Testing of the submitted product itself is the second step in the programme.
The following characteristics for example are scrutinised as part of a preliminary test:

Functionality
This means, for example, the trouble-free functioning of zips and adjustment systems. Compatibility with other articles of clothing is however also important. For example, can the thermal lining be detached and reinserted as easily as intended?

Ergonomic design
These tests are carried out as practical wear tests. The questions asked for example are: How are the individual sizes graded? Does the product adapt to suit different body constitutions? Are the protection elements always affixed at the correct points?

Material quality
A test report which takes various aspects into account: material strengths, fluctuations and unevenness play just as much a part as does the colour quality. It goes without saying that the articles are also examined for obvious material defects such as, e.g. holes, tears, sharp corners and edges.

General quality of workmanship
Particular attention is paid to the seams - their quality, uniformity, their interlocking and the existence of seam allowances are checked. Accessories such as buttons, pockets, padding, emblems and the like have to be firmly fastened. After the preliminary test there is the Physical Examination. Motor cyclists' clothing has to be particularly wear-resistant which is why specialists from the TRPS test a whole series of important quality features in their laboratories:

Resistance

• Rub resistant dry/wet
• Sweat-resistant
• Light-resistant
• Washable

Strength

• Seam strength
• Resistant to further tearing
• Wear/abrasion resistant
• Lateral resistance (zips)
• Splinter resistance(plastic)

Compliance with assured special properties

• Water-resistant
• Wind-resistant
• Breathability
• Special functions

Special products require special measures: where large volumes or special articles have to be tested, the TRPS takes advantage of every opportunity to carry out additional tests, for example, test rides by private people or the equipping of participants in a rally.

At the same time, a chemical test is performed on the materials used. If the manufacturer is not able to present any test results, the TRPS checks that the minimum legal requirements as regards the concentration of harmful substances are complied with (AZO colourings, formaldehyde, PCP, chromium VI, cadmium, nickel ...).

The Checking of the Technical Documentation rounds off the programme of tests. This concerns the checking and assessing of:

• Technical Documents
• Manufacturers' certificates/external reports
• Identification of the articles (information on size, cleaning and care, material composition)
• Instructions for use (user-friendliness, information and explanations of special functions, danger warnings, addition cleaning and care instructions)

The results of all the individual tests required are documented in a final report.

Certification
If all the test results are positive - i.e. all requirements have been met -, the TRPS certification body awards the PROOF mark.

3. Regular monitoring of quality ensures that product quality and assured product properties are maintained even after completion of the test. For this reason a random product check is carried out once a year. The manufacturer can choose any one of three possibilities. The TRPS offers:

• Inspection tour of production plant.
• Taking of random samples from stocks
• Purchasing of random samples in specialist shops.

If the results of these checks are also positive, the validity of the certificate is automatically renewed for a further year and the test mark can continue to be displayed accordingly.

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Safety and quality for motorcycle tank bags
The "GS" seal stands for "Geprüfte Sicherheit (Safety Tested)" and indicates that the goods concerned comply with all valid relevant statutory requirements. Furthermore, it is a sign for the vendor/customer/consumer that the given product together with its usage instructions and method of manufacture has been put through a thorough safety check. TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH is one of the organisations authorised to perform such checks. All the points covered by our test programme, which in this case was developed specifically for motorcycle tank bags, were carefully selected by experts with great experience in the sector concerned and/or in the field of quality assurance.
The main focus of our work is to test the product's safety.
Nevertheless, the aspects of practicality and usability as well as that of the market situation at the given time were all taken into account when developing the test programme.
In hundreds of similar cases we have drawn up test programmes for products for which no standards or other guidelines existed at the time. This is just another reason why our safety- and quality-conscious customers consider us to be a competent and objective partner.

In its role as an independent testing institute, TÜV Rheinland is able to provide manufacturers with certification of their products' high safety and quality standards by means of the test seal/ certificate it awards. The test the products undergo are advantageous to manufacturers in other ways too. They can help:

• strengthen customer confidence
• make products stand out from those of competing companies
• improve marketing strategy
• improve internal quality structures
• cut costs in various areas
• avoid complaints
• improve and stabilise manufacturing quality
• achieve optimum results usage for input into new designs
• meet Product Safety Act requirements.

We hope the above details in respect of our test programme for motorcycle tank panniers and luggage systems has aroused your interest and would be delighted if we could co-operate on this basis.

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Finding the right clothing for a tour on two wheels is no easy matter. The range is wide, the possibilities are diverse, and the decision is correspondingly difficult.
To make it easier for you and to shorten the way to the right motorcycling clothing, we at TÜV Rheinland have developed a comprehensive testing procedure at the end of which stands the PROOF mark - as the visible sign for quality that has been thoroughly tested in terms of material, finishing and wearing comfort.

In doing so, we investigate not only the physical and chemical properties of motorcyclists' clothing, but also take a close look at suitability for everyday use. That includes practical tests with motorcycle tours and - for special clothing - also extreme tests under tougher conditions with rally riders. And only when all the tests and inspections have been passed, does the product receive the PROOF mark.
And that provides you with the assurance when buying that your investment is worth it and that you will enjoy its benefits for a long time.

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Riding

 

Riding - driving - breeding: in the meantime, a not unimportant business sector
As accident statistics indicate, dealing with the horse is associated with many risks. Therefore, high quality, functionality and safety in connection with the horse and rider - driver - breeder, very important in order to minimize the risk of accidents.

In this connection, TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH provides universal support as a partner for riding and driving sport. We look after man and beast in all areas, for example:

• Riding articles
• Riding clothing
• Stall and pasture technology
• Equestrian sport systems
• Transporters
• Feeds/care accessories
• Services for equestrian sport

A few examples of products for TÜV services are
Riding articles

• Harnesses/bridles/reins/curb bits/snaffle bits
• Saddle, saddle leathers, blankets, bags, carriers
• Stirrups, stirrup leathers spurs
• Belts (vaulting, lunging, saddle, blanket, leading)
• Rugs (stable, transport, rain, thermo, sweating off)
• Protectors, leggings, nose and poll protectors, heel boots and protectors

Riding clothes

• Riding caps/helmets
• Riding pants/riding overalls/riding blousons/riding waistcoats/riding jackets/tournament blazers
• Riding gloves
• Riding boots

Stable and pasture technology

• Fencing, isolators, rechargeable batteries, wires, cables
• Drinking troughs, automatic feeding machines, software
• Wind protection nets, buckets, feed measure
• Rack rings, belts

Equestrian sport systems

• Riding, longeing halls, driving facilities
• Indoor and outdoor boxes, stables
• Fences/obstacles
• Doors, gates, windows
• Boxes, track surfaces, ramps
• Video surveillance, labour alarms
• Riding floor surfaces

Feeds/care products

• Feeds, feed additives
• Care, cleaning and disinfectant products
• Cooling gels

Transporter

• Horse transporters
• Horse trailers
• Coaches, sulkies, carts

Services

• Grandstands, tent construction, public address systems
• Catering, timekeeping systems
• Veterinary surgeons, clinics
• Peripheral articles (toys, porcelain, jewellery, furniture, clothing)

Give us a call - we look forward to hearing from you!
Simply click on the button "Contact" and you will find your personal contact partner.

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