according to the "German Equipment & Product Safety Act" (GPSG)

Acc. to § 7 (1) GPSG, only Technical Work Equipment or Ready-to-use Commodities may bear the GS mark.

TÜV Rheinland Group GS-certifies only products that by construction do not present a hazard when used in the German market!

GS mark requirements:

  TÜV Rheinland GS mark

The GS mark indicates conformity of the tested product with the requirements of article 4 paragraphs 1 to 3 GPSG, as well as other statutory provisions (concerning the ensuring of safety and health).

Safety and/or health related instructions for use and warning labels in German language (§4 (4) 2 GPSG) have to be provided for all models distributed in the German market.

Safety and/or health relevant information and instructions have to be provided to the end user in paper form (CDR is not acceptable) (Source: EK1/AG1, protocol of 12th meeting 2003-09-25)

3. EMC

TÜV Rheinland EMC mark

It is necessary to submit evidence that the product satisfies all applicable EMC requirements. For radio-communication or telecommunication equipment these requirements are described in the R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC), for all others refer to the EMC directive (89/336/EEC).

Acceptable evidence to be provided (for all models ) are
EMC Test reports , Certificate of Conformity or EMC mark approval or
EMC Declaration or
EMC conformity statement within the instructions for use .

Check list:

These products are subject to the 3rd ordinance of the GPSG ("Machine noise information ordinance").

The ordinance requires certain acoustic noise information to be provided within the instructions for use in German language:

a) for products where the maximum sound pressure level is less than 70dB(A):

"Maschinenlärminformations-Verordnung - 3. GPSGV, der höchste Schalldruckpegel beträgt 70 dB(A) oder weniger", at least the declaration of „70dB(A)“

b) for equipment where the maximum noise level exceeds 70dB(A):
"Maschinenlärminformations-Verordnung - 3. GPSGV, der höchste Schalldruckpegel beträgt XX dB(A)"

c) for equipment where the noise level exceeds 85dB(A), the sound power level and the noise level related to work places needs to be stated:
"Maschinenlärminformations-Verordnung - 3. GPSGV, der höchste Schallleistungspegel beträgt XX dB(A) und der der höchste arbeitsplatzbezogenen Emmisionswert beträgt XX dB(A)".

On large equipment, indication of the sound pressure level on several locations instead of the sound power level may be accepted.

d) for equipment where the noise level exceeds 130dB(A) at working locations, the C-weighted sound pressure level need to be indicated:
"Maschinenlärminformations-Verordnung - 3. GPSGV, der höchste C-bewertete Schalldruckpegel beträgt XX dB(A)".

Different levels at different working locations may need to be indicated.

(' XX “ Please state here the actual noise level)

4.2 Household Appliances (airborne noise)

For products falling under Article 12 of the Directive a Notified Body Approval is required.

Note: The validity of a "Notified Body Certificate" is usually limited to 1 year during the 1'st year, hence the validity of the GS License will also be limited to 1 year.

For products falling under Article 13 of the Directive a self-declaration by the manufacturer can be accepted.

Check list:

Where applicable, the guaranteed sound power level must be marked taking the following form
(Example for 104dB):

5. Food, Consumer Goods and Feed Code (LFGB), former "LMBG"

The minimum requirement for GS certification of an appliance or product, which is in contact with food, is a self-declaration of the manufacturer that the requirements from the LFGB are fulfilled. This document must be part of the technical documentation.

6. EMF- Electromagnetic fields

This requirement applies to household appliances evaluated according to EN 60335 series.

Products for which compliance with the requirements is not sure or for which no reference measurement results exist may need to be tested. In this case, the manufacturer has to provide a test report according clause 5 of EN 50366.

In case the measurement results are expected to be below the limits (evaluation by engineering judgment or reference table issued by "Bundesamt fur Strahlenschutz" (see her http://www.bfs.de/elektro/nff/vorkommen.html#haushalt ),this should be documented in the test report , e.g. by a statement such as:

"Additional remarks regarding EMF requirements (EN 50366):
Following thorough examination, the electrical field strength (V/m) as well as the magnetic flux density (T) is uncritical for this kind of product. "

7. WEEE Directive (2002/96/EEC) - Waste Electrical and  Electronic     Equipment
    Implemented in Germany through the "Elektro- und     Elektronikgeraetegesetz - ElektroG" ("Electrical and Electronic     Equipment Act")

Electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in an EU Member State after 13 .  August 2005 must comply this the WEEE Directive. German National law granted a transition period until 23. March 2006 .

The symbol indication separate collection for electrical and electronic equipment consists of the crossed-out wheeled bin, as shown below. The symbol must be printed visibly, legibly and indelibly.

Mandatory from 1'st July, 2006

The placing on the market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than 0.1 percent weight of lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls(PBBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) per homogeneous substance or more than 0.01 percent weight of cadmium per homogeneous substance is prohibited.
(This does not apply to electrical and electronic equipment first placed on the market in an EU Member State prior to 1 July 2006, nor does it apply to spare parts for the repair or reuse of electrical or electronic equipment first placed on the market prior to 1 July 2006. )

GS mark licenses are valid for a maximum of 5 years from the issue date of the first license sheet. As of January 1'st 2005, we cannot extend the validity by issuing an additional sheet anymore. A new license with a new license number has to be issued for maintaining the validity of the GS mark certification for the product.

Each GS license issued on or after January 1'st, 2005 shows the "Latest Expiry Date" in the upper right corner of the license. This date is calculated by "Issue date" (in the left bottom of the license) plus 5 years minus 1 day.

10. Multiple models on GS mark licenses

The meaning and purpose of multiple models or suffixes used within type designations have to be documented clearly and sufficient information has to be provided about what the actual, concrete differences between the models are.

Fuzzy information such as
” x = 0-9, A-Z or blank; denoting shipping destination” or

” x = 0-9, A-Z or blank; used for sales purpose” or

” x = 0-9, A-Z or blank; denoting outer appearance”

cannot be accepted any longer.

The following text could be used instead:

” x = 0-9, A-Z or blank; No constructional differences. Models differ only in model name and marking label”
” x = 0-9, A-Z or blank; denote different color of decorative back part enclosure.”

11. Power Supply Cord Sets included with a GS certified product
For products with appliance inlet and a voltage rating that includes AC 230V :

The instructions for use must describe the suitable Power Supply Cord Set for Germany, in case it is not provided with the product.

For products with non-detachable Power Supply Cord, such a description is not required .

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