Certification mark Quality PPP 74002
Scope:
The certification mark applies to the quality of household products, office equipment, tools and garden tools.
Basis of certification:
The certification mark is awarded within the framework of voluntary testing and certification. It demonstrates that the product has been tested and certified by the third-party organisation TÜV SÜD. The certification mark is only affixed to products that undergo inspection by TÜV SÜD Product Service and comply with the criteria quoted below.
Tests and inspections which extend beyond the requirements of other certification schemes, such as that of the GS mark, are performed exclusively on samples taken from the production line by TÜV SÜD. TÜV SÜD inspectors take random samples from the production line, seal them and send them to Germany for testing.
Key words of the certification mark:
The right side of the certification mark always includes the following statements: "User-friendly", "Tested for harmful substances" and "Tested in practice". Optionally, the statement "Endurance tested" can be added on the right if TÜV SÜD considers endurance testing to be applicable. In this case, certificate holders can only obtain the certification mark with this statement.
The right of the certification mark contains a maximum of four statements.
The statements on the left of the certification mark are defined as follows:
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Quality tested
The statement "Quality tested" refers to the comprehensive tests (user-friendliness, endurance, operating instructions) carried out on product samples taken from the production line. In addition, the products were tested for harmful substances and random tests were carried out on the products directly at the production plant.
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Safety tested
Another focus in addition to product quality is product safety, which TÜV SÜD determines by performing safety-related tests on the series-manufactured products. The voluntary certification mark with the statement "Safety tested" is issued for products, indicating that the product was tested and certified for conformity with the essential technical safety requirements.
The certification criteria vary depending on the products in question. While the focus in the case of a hair dryer, for example, is on electrical safety, the focus in the case of a car jack is on the mechanical characteristics. Certification is based on product-specific standards and test programmes, which are identified on the relevant certificate.
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Production monitored
Periodic surveillance of the manufacturer of a product constitutes the basic premise for certification that includes the award of a certification mark. Certification always requires product testing and regular factory inspections.
As a third-party expert organisation, TÜV SÜD Product Service verifies that the manufacturer is able to maintain consistent quality in line with the requirements throughout high-volume production and has established the necessary quality system, including incoming goods inspections, lists of materials and final product testing.
In addition, calibration of the necessary measuring and monitoring equipment must be ensured. Surveillance and/or monitoring covers the testing of safety-critical components and other materials used. TÜV SÜD also carries out "shipment inspections" during the manufacture of the product. Within the scope of this inspection, the TÜV SÜD inspectors check products according to a defined random-sampling procedure directly on site at the factory.
Moreover, the inspectors take random samples and send them to Germany for further tests. If unauthorised changes are made to the product, the certificate will be withdrawn and the TÜV SÜD certification mark may no longer be used.
