Product category:
Compliance Engineering
News Release from: TUV Rheinland UK | Subject: TUV GS Mark
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 24 January 2002
Product safety marking: CE versus TUV GS
What is the difference between products bearing the CE Mark only and those that additionally bear the TUV GS Mark? What are the benefits for manufacturers and consumers?
What is the difference between products bearing the CE Mark only and those that additionally bear the TUV GS Mark? What are the benefits for manufacturers and consumers? This article will offer a brief explanation of these two symbols and a factual examination of the key differences The TUV GS Mark has its roots in the German equipment safety law but the literal translation of "GS" does not stand for German safety, but rather "safety tested"
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 18 Jul 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Typically, the electrical safety aspects of a product are evaluated, tested and certified in conjunction with the issuance of this marking.
The TUV GS Mark is most often a voluntary certification and has long been a recognised symbol in Germany for safety-tested products.
In the past decade, members of the European Union have become accustomed to seeing the mark on consumer products.
The TUV GS Mark demonstrates that not only has a representative sample of the product been evaluated, tested and approved for safety but also that the production line is inspected on an annual basis.
In contrast to the TUV GS Mark, the CE Mark is the manufacturer's self-declaration, and does not prove compliance with all applicable directives.
For most products sold in the EU, the use of the CE Mark and a Declaration of Conformity are mandatory.
With the exception of some high-risk products, most products can be self-certified by the manufacturer to meet the essential requirements.
While the CE Mark does permit a product's access to the EU, it is not an approval, certification or quality mark; nor is it a marketing tool.
CE Marking is a "mark" that is only a declaration of the supplier's own responsibility.
While enabling products to be placed on the European market, it allows for the free movement of goods and permits the withdrawal of nonconforming products but no more.
The CE Mark should not be confused with other approval marks or certifications issued by EU-accredited certification bodies.
As stated in the European Commission's Guide to the Implementation of Community Harmonisation Directives: "Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that the products they place on the market meet all relevant regulations.
Where these regulations do not require mandatory certification, manufacturers often seek voluntary certification to assure themselves that their products do meet the requirements set by law".
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