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All colleagues unite and focus their efforts to write a new chapter of developmentBasic Information and Differences Between CE Certification and GS Certification for Power Adapters!
所属分类： Industry News
发布时间：2020-06-30
We often see Power adapter The nameplate will bear markings such as CE, GS, UL, and CCC. Next, Suoyuan Technology, a manufacturer of power adapters, will walk you through the meanings and purposes of these symbols. Today, we’ll focus on the CE and GS certifications under European Union standards.
First, let’s take a look at GS. The term “GS” stands for the German phrase “Geprüfte Sicherheit,” meaning “safety certified,” and it can also be interpreted as “Germany Safety.” GS certification is based on the German Product Safety Act (GPGS). As shown in the figure, the combination of SGS and GS indicates that this power adapter complies with GS certification. Here, SGS refers to the certification body. Of course, this is just one form of GS certification; there are also GS certifications issued by other organizations, such as TÜV. This is a voluntary certification that involves testing according to either the harmonized European standard EN or the German industrial standard DIN, and it is widely recognized in the European market as a hallmark of German safety compliance. Which products are eligible for GS certification? Household appliances—such as refrigerators, washing machines, and kitchenware—household machinery, sports equipment, electrical and electronic office devices—including copiers, fax machines, shredders, computers, and printers—industrial machinery, laboratory and measurement equipment, as well as other safety‑related products like bicycles, helmets, ladders, and furniture.
In addition, what is CE marking? CE marking refers to the basic safety requirements that ensure a product does not endanger the safety of humans, animals, or goods—rather than general quality standards. Harmonized directives specify only the essential requirements, while compliance with other requirements is left to national standards. Therefore, the precise meaning is that the CE mark signifies conformity to safety standards, not to quality standards. It embodies the “essential requirements” at the heart of European directives. In the EU market, the CE mark is a mandatory certification mark. As shown in the figure above, products must bear both the GS mark and the CE mark on their nameplates. Whether manufactured by an EU‑based company or by a manufacturer in another country, any product seeking to circulate in the European market must display the CE mark, thereby demonstrating that it meets the essential requirements set out in EU directives.
In summary, both CE certification and GS certification are required for entering the European market—so what distinguishes them? First, CE certification is mandatory: any power adapter placed on the EU market must obtain CE marking. By contrast, GS certification is voluntary, though it is also recognized by the EU. One might then ask: if that’s the case, why not simply pursue CE certification? In fact, this is not so straightforward. Although the GS mark is not legally required, it does subject manufacturers to the stringent German (and broader European) product safety regulations in the event of a product failure leading to an accident. Consequently, the GS mark serves as a powerful marketing tool, bolstering consumer confidence and driving purchasing decisions.