Germany Product Safety (GS) Certification

The GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit — tested safety) is a voluntary safety mark based on the German Product Safety Act (ProdSG). An authorised body tests the product, audits the production site, and licenses use of the mark. It has a strong position for consumer trust in the German market, and retail chains often require it.

• Manufacturers selling into the German and Central European market
• Manufacturers of electrical household appliances, power tools and garden products
• Manufacturers of furniture, toys and sports equipment
• Firms supplying German retail chains

Not legally mandatory; voluntary. However, German retailers and public procurement often make the GS mark a precondition, which turns it into an effective market-entry requirement. Use of the GS mark is time-limited and is maintained through factory audits.

• Type testing against the relevant product standard and ProdSG requirements
• Assessment of the instructions for use in German
• Ergonomics and user-safety assessment
• Checking chemical-substance requirements (e.g. PAH)
• A factory audit and assessment of the production control system
• Licensing the GS mark and using it together with the authorised body's logo
• Annual surveillance audits and market-sample checks

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• CEEU Product Conformity
• UKCAUnited Kingdom Conformity
• ENECElectrical Product Safety
• S-MarkProduct Safety Mark
• ULNorth America Product Safety
• ETLNorth America Product Safety
• CSACanada Product Safety
• FCCRadio/EMC