What is TUV Certification?
A TUV certification means a sampling of the product has been tested for safety and found to meet the minimum requirements of the German Equipment and Product Safety Act. If you’ve ever looked for outdoor lighting, you’ve probably looked for a UL wet location safety rating. Similar to the UL acronym for Underwriters Laboratories, TUV stands for Technischer Überwachungsverein (or Technical Inspection Association in English). GS is an acronym for Geprüfte Sicherheit (meaning “tested for safety” or “certified for safety”). Also like UL testing, TUV/GS is a voluntary certification.
What the TUV/GS Safety Rating Means
On 1000Bulbs.com product pages, where you usually see the UL safety rating on products, you may find a TUV/GS safety rating listed instead.
This value means:
The product has been tested for electrical safety, hazardous material components, and unwanted noise production.
The production facility has undergone an annual inspection.
Testing for the mark is available from many different registered laboratories, all of which adhere to the same regulatory standards. More commonly displayed in Europe, the certification lets you know the manufacturer is committed to producing quality products with consistent specifications.
It All Started with a Boiler
TUVs were founded in the late 1800s following a steam boiler explosion at a Mannheim brewery. A group of engineers founded the Steam Boiler Inspection Association (Dampfkessel Überwachungsverein | DUV) and similar associations formed across other German cities. By 1877, the associations had come together to issue the first set of construction and maintenance standards for boilers. By 1906, DUVs were also responsible for inspection services on electrical products, elevators, and vehicles. In 1938, the 37 DUV associations reorganized into 17 TUVs that are now responsible for everything from commercial lighting products to medical device regulations.
Have questions about TUV/GS safety ratings on products? Let us know in the comments section below or call 1-800-624-4488 to speak with a product specialist during normal business hours.
