German GS certification

What is GS certification?

The meaning of GS is the German "Geprufte Sicherheit" (safety certified) and also the meaning of "Germany Safety". The GS certification is based on the German Product Safety Law (GPGS) and is a voluntary certification based on the European Union's unified standard EN or the German industrial standard DIN. It is a recognized German safety certification mark on the European market.

GS certification mark

The GS certification mark indicates that the product's use safety has been tested by an independent agency of public credibility. The GS certification mark, although not legally mandated, does enable manufacturers to be bound by strict German (European) product safety laws when a product failure causes an accident. Therefore, the GS certification mark is a powerful market tool that can enhance customer confidence and purchase desire. Although GS is a German standard, it is recognized by most countries in Europe. And to meet the GS certification at the same time, the product will meet the EC's CE mark requirements. Unlike CE, there is no legally mandated requirement for the GS certification mark. However, because the safety awareness has gone deep into ordinary consumers, an appliance with a GS certification mark may be more competitive in the market than a general product. Usually GS certified products are sold at a higher unit price and are more popular.

GS certification necessity

1) GS, as a reliable symbol of product safety and quality, has been more widely recognized by consumers in Germany and the EU;

2) Minimize the manufacturer's liability risk in product quality;

3) Increase the confidence of manufacturers in product quality, safety, and compliance with legal requirements;

4) Emphasize to consumers the obligations of manufacturers on product quality and safety;

5) Manufacturers can ensure to end-users that products with the GS mark have passed the tests of third-party test institutes;

6) In many cases, the quality and safety of products with GS logos surpass the requirements of the law;

7) The GS mark can obtain higher recognition than the CE mark because the GS certificate is issued by a third-party testing organization with certain qualifications.

GS certification scope

1) Household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, kitchen appliances, etc.

2) Home machinery.

3) Sports supplies.

4) Home electronic devices, such as audio-visual equipment.

5) Electrical and electronic office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, shredders, computers, printers, etc.

6) Industrial machinery and experimental measuring equipment.

7) Other safety-related products such as bicycles, helmets, ladders, furniture, etc.

GS certification application process

1) Application: The applicant submits the documents that meet the requirements. For the electrical products, it is necessary to submit the assembly drawings of the products, the electrical schematics, the bill of materials, the use of the products or the installation instructions, and the differences between the series models.

2) Sample testing: Testing will be performed in accordance with the applicable standards and may be performed in the manufacturer's laboratory or any laboratory in the testing facility in each country.

3) Factory inspection: GS certification requires that safety-related procedural inspections be performed on the production site.

4) Issue GS certificate.

Difference between GS and CE