Retailers, brands and consumers increasingly demand independent verification of product safety and quality. The GS mark provides this assurance and SGS, as a notified body for GS Mark testing and certification can help you gain a competitive edge in a congested market.
Geprüfte Sicherheit (GS) means "tested safety." This voluntary but legally regulated mark for ready-to-use products focuses on product safety. It confirms that a product is safe for foreseeable use on the basis of the German Product Safety Act (ProdSG). The GS Mark is regulated pursuant to the ProdSG, Chapter 5; Sections 20-23.
One of the best-known and most important test marks for goods and consumer products, the GS Mark tells the consumer that an appropriately marked, ready-to-use product can be used safely and without danger, providing it is used as intended.
The GS Mark is awarded by third-party organizations that have been accredited by German authorities to perform product testing and to certify compliance. Its requirements are more stringent than the EN standard, and also exceed the requirements of the mandatory CE marking. Manufacturers choosing GS Mark certification benefit from:
Applicable to both consumer products, as described in Section 2 No. 26 of the ProdSG, and work equipment, the mark assures consumers that a product can be used safely and without danger, providing it is used as intended. At the same time, it helps employers understand that they must only provide safe work equipment to employees, as required by Section 5 of the Industrial Safety Ordinance (Betriebssicherheitsverordnung).
The GS mark, distinct from the European "CE" mark, indicates safety testing of a prototype and inspection of the manufacturing process by a GS body, but it does not assess product quality, performance, or shelf life. It applies not just to products made in Germany but also internationally. Defined by the Product Safety Act, products with the GS mark must remain safe for users and not threaten health or legal interests under normal use conditions throughout their lifespan.