GS Certification
The meaning of GS is the German "Geprufte Sicherheit" (certified safety), and it also means "Germany Safety". GS certification is a voluntary certification based on the German Product Safety Law (GPGS) and carried out in accordance with the unified EU standard EN or the German industrial standard DIN. It is a German safety certification mark recognized in the European market.

Introduction to GS
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 utensils, etc.

2. Household machinery.

3. Sports goods.

4. Household electronic devices, 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 measuring equipment.

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

GS Safety Certification Mark

1. The GS mark is a safety certification mark issued by institutions such as TUV and VDE authorized by the German Ministry of Labor.
The GS mark is a safety mark accepted by a large number of customers in Europe. Usually, GS-certified products have a higher sales unit price and are more popular.

2. According to the EU CE regulations, since January 1, 1997, the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)" has been regulated. GS already includes all the requirements of the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)". Therefore, after obtaining the GS mark, TUV will exceptionally issue a free CE certificate (COC) for the LVD of the product. For the certificates issued by TUV Sud and TUV Rheinland after 1997, the LVD certificate is included in the GS certificate. Manufacturers obtain the LVD certificate while applying for GS.

3. Requirements of GS certification for products and documents: - The product should pass the type test of European safety standards. - The product structure should meet the standard requirements. - The instruction manual (in German and English) should meet the standards. - English documents such as the "Structure Diagram", "Circuit Diagram", and "Parts List" prepared according to TUV requirements. The product test will be carried out according to the parameters provided in these documents.

4. GS certification has strict requirements for the factory's quality assurance system and conducts inspections and annual inspections of the factory: - The factory is required to establish its own quality assurance system in accordance with the ISO9000 system standard when shipping products in batches. The factory should 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 should be inspected and qualified before the GS certificate is issued. - After issuing the certificate, the factory should be inspected at least once a year. No matter how many products the factory applies for the TUV mark, only one factory inspection is required.

Scope of GS Certification

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

2. Household machinery.

3. Sports goods.

4. Household electronic devices, 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 measuring equipment.

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

GS Certification Process

1. Initial meeting: Through the initial meeting, the testing institution or the agency will explain the specific procedures of the certification and the relevant standards to the product engineer of the applicant, and provide the document forms that need to be submitted.

2. Application: The applicant submits the documents that meet the requirements. For electrical products, it is necessary to submit the general assembly drawing of the product, the electrical schematic diagram, the material list, the product usage or installation instructions, the difference description between series models and other documents.

3. Technical meeting: After the testing institution has checked the applicant's documents, a technical meeting will be arranged with the applicant's technical personnel.

4. Sample testing: The testing will be carried out in accordance with the applicable standards, and it can be carried out in the manufacturer's laboratory or any laboratory of the inspection institution stationed in various countries.

5. Factory inspection: GS certification requires an inspection of the production site for safety-related procedures.

6. Issue the 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 documents. Generally speaking, the time required is about 6 to 8 weeks.

GS Certification Fees
The fees include a one-time certification issuance fee, a factory inspection fee, and an annual certificate fee. The specific amount will be determined according to the product category and the required tests. The certification institution will provide you with a price reference after receiving the required documents submitted by the applicant. The market policies and public credibility of each certification institution are different, and the prices will vary.

The Relationship between GS and LVD
According to the EU CE regulations, since January 1, 1997, the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)" has been regulated. GS already includes all the requirements of the "Low Voltage Directive (LVD)". Therefore, after obtaining the GS mark, TUV will exceptionally issue a free CE certificate (COC) for the LVD of the product. For the certificates issued by TUV Sud and TUV Rheinland after 1997, the LVD certificate is included in the GS certificate. Manufacturers obtain the LVD certificate while applying for GS.

Requirements for GS Certification Factory Inspection

1. Quality Management
1.1 Is there a management institution responsible for product quality independent of production, and what is the name of the person in charge?
1.2 Have various personnel training plans been formulated and implemented, especially the training plan for key process personnel? What is the personnel assessment system?
1.3 The proportion of quality management personnel to production personnel.
1.4 Are there production records for key processes of the product, and is there a number on the product packaging? If not, how to find out the defective products in case of quality problems?
1.5 Have the warehouse management and production operation personnel carried out relevant inspections:
1.5.1 Raw materials 1.5.2 Production process 1.5.3 Finished products
1.6 Is there a quality inspection, and who is responsible for it?
1.7 Are quality analysis meetings held regularly to handle quality problems in a timely manner and do a good job in feedback.

2. The Production Line of Certified Products
2.1 Are there production flowcharts, quality control point diagrams and clearly stipulated production systems for certified products?
2.2 Is there a maintenance system and a regular inspection system and their records for the equipment, instruments and measuring tools on the production line?
2.3 Are there key production equipment, process equipment and test equipment, what is the accuracy, and provide the relevant list.

Raw Materials, Outsourced Parts, Components
3.1 Provide the list of key parts and key materials.

3.2 Explain how to ensure the quality of raw materials, purchased parts, and components (whether there is an inspection specification for parts and raw materials). Is there a system for requisition and storage?
4. Measurement
4.1 Is there a metrology institution?
4.2 What is the working scope of the metrology institution and the brief situation of its personnel (have they passed the assessment by the metrology department?)
4.3 If there is no metrology institution, please explain which unit is responsible for the measurement.
5. Factory testing institution
5.1 List the names of the main testing equipment and their manufacturers. Are there any certificates of conformity and valid appraisal certificates (accuracy, grade)? What tests can be carried out?
5.2 Testing environment
6. Technical documents and materials
6.1 Product drawings, product technical conditions, and process documents.
6.2 The test reports of the products applied for certification in the recent six months.
6.3 The percentages of waste and defective products found in the recent six months in the total output.
7. Technical service
7.1 How about the situation records and user evaluations?

Documents required for GS certification application:

1. Fill in the application form.

2. Sign the general agreement.

3. Documents required for safety assessment
The CB certificate and report of the product can be provided, which must include the European group difference. Or provide the documents required for the safety assessment:

· The user manual of the product (including safety warnings, maintenance instructions, instructions for the installation steps of accessories, etc.)

· List of parts and components (According to the relevant standard requirements, provide the information of the key safety - related parts and components used in the product. The part information may include the manufacturer, model, parameters, certification information. The requirements for parts and components need to consider the requirements of the part standards and the final product standards.)

· Circuit diagram and layout

· Structural diagram of the product

· Specification sheets of parts and components such as transformers

1. Parts in contact with food (if any)
Please provide the food hygiene permission documents issued by the authoritative organization for the contactable black materials (plastics, coatings, etc.), or relevant test evaluations (PAH) are required.

2. Nameplate (in German, with the GS logo of the correct size.)

3. Electromagnetic compatibility assessment report (EMC) and factory compliance statement (DOC)

4. German - language instruction manual

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

6. For applicable product categories, the assessment reports of Noise and EN50332 are required.

7. For applicable product categories, the assessment reports of DMF and EMF are required.

The role of GS certification:
The GS logo indicates that the safety of the product in use has been tested by an independent and reliable institution. Although the GS logo is not legally mandatory, it does make the manufacturer subject to the strict German (European) product safety law in case of an accident caused by a product failure. Therefore, the GS logo is a powerful marketing tool, which can enhance customers' confidence and purchasing desire. Although GS is a German standard, it is recognized by the vast majority of European countries. Moreover, while meeting the GS certification requirements, the product will also meet the requirements of the CE logo of the European Community. Different from CE, the GS logo is not legally mandatory. However, due to the fact that safety awareness has taken root among ordinary consumers, an electrical appliance with a GS logo may have greater competitiveness in the market than ordinary products.