GS certification

GS means "Geprufte Sicherheit" in German (safety has been certified), and it also means "Germany Safety" (German Safety). GS certification is based on the German Product Safety Law (GPGS), a voluntary certification for testing in accordance with the EU unified standard EN or German industrial standard DIN, and is a recognized German safety certification mark in the European market. German GS certification

GS introduction

What products can apply for GS certification

The products that can apply for GS certification are:

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

2. Household machinery.

3. Sports goods.

4. Household electronic equipment, such as audio-visual equipment.

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

6. Industrial machinery, experimental measurement equipment.

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

GS safety certification mark

1. GS mark is a safety certification mark issued by TUV, VDE and other institutions authorized by the German Ministry of Labor.

The GS mark is a safety mark accepted by European customers. Generally, GS-certified products are sold at higher unit prices and are more popular.

2. The European Community CE regulations, 1997.1.1. began to control the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)". GS already contains all the requirements of the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)". Therefore, after obtaining the GS mark, TUV will issue the CE certificate (COC) of the product's LVD free of charge. TUV SÜD and TUV Rheinland's certificates after 1997 include the LVD certificate in the GS certificate. The manufacturer obtained the LVD certificate while applying for GS.

3. GS certification requirements for products and documents:-Products must pass the European safety standard type test. -The product structure must meet the standard requirements. -The instructions (German, English) must meet the standards. -English documents such as "Structural Drawings", "Circuit Diagrams", and "Parts List" prepared in accordance with the requirements of TUV. Product testing will be carried out according to the parameters provided by these documents.

4. GS certification has strict requirements on the quality assurance system of the factory, and the factory must be reviewed and annual inspection:-The factory is required to establish its own quality assurance system in accordance with the ISO9000 system standards when shipping in batches. The factory must at least have its own quality control system, quality records and other documents and sufficient production and inspection capabilities. -Before issuing the GS certificate, the new factory must be inspected and qualified before the GS certificate is issued. -After the certificate is issued, the factory shall be inspected at least once a year. No matter how many products the factory applies for the TUV mark, the factory inspection only needs one time.

GS certification issued by TUV

GS certification scope

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

2. Household machinery.

3. Sports goods.

4. Household electronic equipment, such as audio-visual equipment.

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

6. Industrial machinery, experimental measurement equipment.

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

GS certification process

1) First meeting: Through the first meeting, the testing agency or agency will explain the specific certification procedures and related standards to the applicant’s product engineer, and provide the required document forms.

2) Application: The applicant submits the documents that meet the requirements. For electrical products, it is necessary to submit the product assembly drawing, electrical schematic diagram, material list, product use or installation instructions, and differences between series models.

3) Technical meeting: After the testing agency has checked the applicant’s documents, it will arrange a technical meeting with the applicant’s technical staff.

4) Sample test: The test will be carried out in accordance with the applicable standards, and can be carried out in the manufacturer's laboratory or any laboratory of the inspection agency located in various countries.

5) Factory inspection: GS certification requires safety-related procedural inspections on production sites.

6) Issue GS certificate.

GS certification cycle

Generally speaking, the length of time depends on whether the product needs to be modified or the speed at which the manufacturer submits the required product documentation. In general, the time required is generally about 6 to 8 weeks.

GS certification fee

The cost includes a one-time certificate issuance fee, factory inspection fee and annual certificate fee. The specific number will be determined according to the category of the product and the required tests. The certification body will provide you with a price reference after receiving the required documents submitted by the applicant. The market policy and credibility of each certification body are different, and the price will vary.

The relationship between GS and LVD

The European Community CE regulations, 1997.1.1. began to control the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)". GS already contains all the requirements of the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)". Therefore, after obtaining the GS mark, TUV will issue the CE certificate (COC) of the LVD of the product free of charge. TUV SÜD and TUV Rheinland's certificates after 1997 include the LVD certificate in the GS certificate. The manufacturer obtained the LVD certificate when applying for GS.

GS certified factory inspection requirements

1. Quality management

1.1 Is there a management organization responsible for product quality independent of production, and the name of the person in charge?

1.2 Have you developed and implemented a training plan for all types of personnel, especially the training plan for key technical personnel? How is the personnel assessment system?

1.3 The ratio of quality management personnel to production personnel.

1.4 Whether there is a production record for the key process of the product, whether the product package has a number, if not, if there is a quality problem, how to find out the defective product?

1.5 Whether the warehouse management and production operation personnel have conducted relevant inspections:

1.5.1 Raw materials 1.5.2 Production process 1.5.3 Finished products

1.6 Is there any quality check? Who is responsible?

1.7 Whether to hold regular quality analysis meetings to deal with quality problems in a timely manner and do a good job of feedback work.

2. Production line of certified products

2.1 Whether there is a production flow chart and quality control point diagram of the certified product, and a clearly stated production system.

2.2 The equipment, instruments and quantities on the production line have a non-maintenance system and a regular inspection system and their records.

2.3 Whether there are key production equipment, process equipment and test equipment, and the accuracy, provide a relevant list.

3. Raw materials, purchased parts, spare parts

3.1 Provide a catalog of key parts and key materials.

3.2 Explain how to ensure the quality of raw materials, purchased parts, and parts (whether there are parts and raw materials inspection specifications prepared) Whether there is a system of receiving and keeping.

4. Measurement

4.1 Is there a measurement agency?

4.2 The scope of work and personnel profile of the measurement organization (has it passed the assessment by the measurement department?)

4.3 If there is no measurement organization, please indicate in which unit the measurement is performed.

5. Factory test organization

5.1 List the name of the main test equipment and the manufacturer, whether it has a certificate of conformity and a valid identification certificate (accuracy, grade) which tests can be carried out.

5.2 Test environment

6. Technical documents and information

6.1 Product drawings and product technical conditions and process documents.

6.2 Test reports of products applied for certification within the last six months.

6.3 The percentage of waste and defective products detected in the last six months to the total output.

7. Technical Service

7.1 How is the situation record and user evaluation?

Information to be submitted for GS certification

1. Fill in the application form

2. Sign the general agreement

3. Information required for safety assessment

Can provide the CB certificate and report of the product, which must include the group difference in Europe. Or provide the information required for safety assessment

-Product manual (including safety warnings, maintenance instructions, instructions on installation steps for accessories, etc.)

-Parts list (according to relevant standard requirements, provide the key safety parts information used in the product. Parts information may include manufacturer, model, parameters, certification information, and parts requirements need to consider parts standards And the requirements of the final product standard)

-Circuit diagram and layout

-Product structure diagram

-Specifications of transformers and other parts

4. Parts in contact with food (if any)

Please provide the food hygiene permit documents issued by the authoritative organization for accessible black materials (plastics, coatings, etc.), or relevant testing and evaluation (PAH) is required.

5. Nameplate (German, the correct size of GS logo is required.)

6. Electromagnetic compatibility assessment report (EMC) and factory declaration of conformity (DOC)

7. German manual

8. Samples at the time of shipment to complete structural review, type testing or ergonomic testing and evaluation

9. If applicable product category, noise and EN50332 evaluation report shall be provided

10. If applicable product categories, DMF and EMF evaluation reports are required.

The role of GS certification

The GS mark indicates that the safety of the product has been tested by an independent organization with credibility. Although the GS mark is not a legally mandatory requirement, it can indeed make the manufacturer subject to strict German (European) product safety laws when the product fails and causes an accident. Therefore, the GS mark is a powerful marketing tool that can enhance customers' confidence and desire to buy. Although GS is a German standard, most European countries agree. And while meeting the GS certification, the products will also meet the requirements of the European Community's CE mark. Unlike CE, there is no legal requirement for the GS mark, but because the safety awareness has penetrated into ordinary consumers, an electrical appliance with the GS mark may be more competitive than ordinary products in the market.