When buying technical work equipment and products, pay attention to the GS mark
However important product recalls are for your safety and health, the best thing is to buy products with virtually no chance of being recalled.
When buying products, you should always opt for products that have undergone safety testing. Although it is impossible to achieve a 100% safe product, tested products are characterised by a significantly higher level of safety. These products have already had to prove that they are safe and non-toxic by obtaining corresponding certification or by having their production monitored.
The most important safety label is the German GS mark, which stands for "Geprüfte Sicherheit" (Tested Safety). GS-certified products can be found in the numerous databases provided by most product inspection bodies. These can usually be used for free by any private or commercial end user, and the benefits are obvious: those who inform themselves about certified technical work equipment and technical products reduce their risk of purchasing defective products!
DGUV Test
The Database of Certified Products kept by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) contains around 17,000 products from over 3,000 manufacturers, which have been tested by DGUV Test and for which a valid certificate is in place. An index of all tested products helps users find the corresponding product name.
DGUV Test - an overview of tested and certified products
TÜV Süd Product Service GmbH (TSPS)
TÜV Gruppe Süd also maintains a database of tested products. Going by the name of Certificate Explorer, this provides information on all products certified by TÜV Süd. The distinctive feature is that different types of certificates can be included or excluded, allowing users to choose between different testing criteria.
TÜV Rheinland LGA Products GmbH (TRLP)
Tested and safe products are also listed at TÜV Rheinland, whose "Certipedia - Certificate Database" is an online platform for products of proven quality. The database records all of the product features, services, companies, systems and personal certificates that are subject to testing by the TÜV Rheinland Group. This service is also available for use by manufacturers, buyers, distributors and consumers alike.
Certipedia - Certificate Database
DIN CERTCO Certificate Database
Certified and safe products are also listed by DIN CERTCO Gesellschaft für Konformitätsbewertung mbH: The certificate database is an internet platform for certified quality. It documents all product features, services, companies, systems and personnel certifications audited by DIN CERTCO. Manufacturers, procurement managers, traders and consumers may equally use these services.
DIN CERTCO Certificate Database
VDE Prüf- und Zertifizierungsinstitut GmbH (VDE)
The VDE testing and certification institute provides a database-driven information platform that is available to everyone who wishes to inform themselves about safe electrically operated products. Thanks to both synonym and full-text searches, it provides users with quick and reliable access to comprehensive, detailed information about the selected product.
VDE-tested and certified products
SGS Electrical & Electronics
The SGS Group is a world leader in the "Testing, Inspection, Verification and Certification" sector. This Certification Database in English lists tested electrical and electronic products by, among other characteristics, manufacturer name, product category or test label.
Electrical Products Certified Clients
SGS Institut Fresenius GmbH
The SGS Group is active worldwide providing "testing, inspection, verification, and certification" services. On 1 February 2023 SGS Institut Fresenius GmbH received accreditation from the Central Authority of the Federal States for Safety (Zentralstelle der Länder für Sicherheitstechnik, ZLS) as a notified body under Section 23 of the German Product Safety Act (Produktsicherheitsgesetz, ProdSG), which entitles it to award GS (Tested Safety) certificates. Click on the link below to find all the certificates issued by SGS Institut Fresenius, including both GS certificates and the company's own "private" quality mark certificates. The new certification mark has a modern design and, thanks to SGS Institut Fresenius GmbH’s track record, is awarded by a certifying body with a strong reputation for excellence on the consumer products market. Apart from giving a URL, it also features a QR code that allows the certification database to be accessed quickly and easily.
SGS Institut Fresenius Certifikation Database
Stiftung Warentest
This foundation’s website contains a multitude of test results from various product categories, such as automotive and transport, IT and telephony, homes and gardens, etc. Stiftung Warentest's services provide independent information but are not always free of charge.
Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Service Germany GmbH
In the search for tested and safe products, another useful provider is Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Service Germany GmbH. A database-driven online platform for tested GS products can be found on the website under the menu item “Das Bureau Veritas GS-Zeichen” (The Bureau Veritas GS Mark). This allows users to check whether a specific product has been awarded a GS mark from Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Service Germany GmbH.