seal of approval
As a certification mark or seal graphic or written marks on products, machinery and vehicles are called, indicating compliance with certain safety or quality criteria. Depending on the object, they are attached or renewed after a one-off or regularly recurring inspection.
Certification marks are part of the product labeling . They are applied voluntarily due to legal requirements or by the producers.
The best-known test seals are, for example, the so-called HU badge , which is attached to motor vehicles as part of the general inspection , and the GS certificate (tested safety) .
Terminology, demarcation from 'seal of quality'
This designation is often used for labels of quality or quality . The linguistic distinction is not fixed; One possibility of delimitation arises from the fact that “quality” or “quality marks” are intended to represent a particular quality of use or comfort , while “test marks” rather indicate the tested compliance with safety-relevant properties. In some cases, however, the two objectives overlap.
execution
Certification marks are applied in a design specified by the certification mark holder or the legislator and at a correspondingly prescribed location on the product. The marking can be applied directly to the product or to the accompanying information and document material. The latter is particularly the case with small products.
Further certification systems
There is a " CB Scheme " which makes it easier to obtain national test marks for electrical and electronic products.
In many cases, “test judgments” such as those from Stiftung Warentest or Öko-Test are referred to as test seals. The individual test result (e.g. "Very good") is usually printed on this type of sign. They thus contain an individual product rating and, in the true sense of the word, are not generally valid "test marks", but evaluating " ratings ".
Certification marks with an economic orientation such as the E-mark , which facilitate free trade, are often based on standards or guidelines .