Meaning of CE and GS
CE = Communities European (European Community)
The CE mark is basically a certification of conformity. A manufacturer or importer can mark his products and documents with the CE sign and certifies that the product follows the regulations (here 89/686/EG for personal protection) of the European Community (EC) which are related to the type of the product. But due to their importance personal safety products need to be certified by an independent institute (notified body) for safety reasons. Nevertheless even this CE mark is a proof of a single test only and is therefore not able to guarantee the continuous adjustment of the product, the manufacturing and measurement procedures to the state of the art and to changed test conditions.
GS = Gepruefte Sicherheit (Tested Safety)
The additional GS mark is applied to a product or its packaging acc. to the German law only than, when a notified body (e.g. DIN CERTCO) has carried out a prototype test and confirmed that the required safety requests are fulfilled as the minimum condition. Additionally “GS” requires a certified quality management system and neutral sampling at the manufacturer’s plant, checking of manufacturer’s test equipment and in-house quality assurance. It is allocated only when re-tests are carried out in regular intervals. With the CE sign alone, the user does not have a reliable information of the quality standard of the product or the production process. This means neutral and objective sampling is not mandatory, the specimen could be chosen and pre-tested by the manufacturer and a neutral quality management is not warranted.
Philosophy of LASERVISION
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The EC Directive 89/686/EEC has been in force for more than 10 years now. Meanwhile everyone knows that eye protectors, like laser safety eyewear, are allowed to be sold into/within the EU only with a CE marking. The Directive classifies 3 categories depending on the exposure to danger (cat.I lowest to cat.III highest). Eye protectors – with only very few exceptions – are falling into category II of the Directive 89/686/EEC. Laser safety eyewear is not amongst these exceptions and has also been classified into category II. That causes some very important gaps in safety and quality. Category II CE testing requires one single type test only. Neutral and objective sampling is not mandatory which |
means the specimen can be chosen by the manufacturer, can be pre-tested and a neutral quality assurance is not obligatory. Consequently permanent adjustment of such laser safety products in accordance with changes in test requirements and latest realisations of state of the art is not carried out. LASERVISION’s first priority has always been offering products of best safety and quality. Therefore LASERVISION has voluntarily committed themselves to follow the most stringent requirements of DIN GS which are for example: EC type examination testing, re-tests at regular intervals, neutral sampling at the manufacturer’s plant, checking of manufacturer’s test equipment and in-house quality assurance. |
