The GS Mark (GS = Geprüfte Sicherheit = Tested Safety) is a recognised safety mark that is respected in many countries outside Germany. Its purpose is to ensure that in the area of consumer and labour protection the safety requirements applying to technical equipment have been fulfilled, and that such compliance is tested and regularly inspected by an independent (approved) body. The mark is based on the Gerätesicherheitsgesetz (= Equipment Safety Act), generally abbreviated to GSG.
The GSG governs the marketing of technical equipment which may only be traded on condition that it conforms to the specified safety provisions and other relevant requirements.
Technical equipment within the meaning of the GSG is a work appliance that must be handled, operated and actuated for work to be actively performed with it. It must be "ready for use", i.e. it is supplied complete, and is intended for use in its as-delivered condition.
Type testing serves to establish whether such appliances meet the requirements of the Equipment Safety Act. For this purpose, a voluntary safety test of the product is performed by a body approved by the Central Agency of the Laender for Safe Technology (ZLS).
The approved body must ensure by appropriate control measures that no products are placed on the market that do not correspond to the design originally tested. Where the applicable conditions are fulfilled, manufacturers are entitled to apply the GS Mark to their products. It is prohibited to apply the GS Mark to products that have not been tested and assessed by an approved body.
The GS Mark has proved its value over many years. It makes an effective contribution to consumer protection and supports traders in their obligation to offer the consumer safe products. It is in the interest of trade, and in accordance with its legal obligations, to contribute by its own actions to prevent improper use of the GS Mark.
DIN CERTCO is an approved body within the terms of the Equipment Safety Act and undertakes certification in the following product ranges:
To obtain the GS Mark, the product must be tested by an independent testing laboratory that has been recognised by DIN CERTCO on the basis of an accreditation by the ZLS. The resulting test report may also serve as the basis for the award of the DIN Test Mark. If both marks are used, a discount of 50% on the costs of the GS certification is granted.
