Certification and Conformity Marks Explained

CE

EU/EEA • Mandatory

UKCA

GB • Mandatory

RoHS

EU • Mandatory

WEEE

EU • Mandatory

CCC

China • Mandatory

GS

DE/EU • Voluntary

VDE

DE • Voluntary

ENEC

EU • Voluntary

UL / cUL

USA/CA • De facto mandatory

ÖVE

AT • Voluntary

KEMA-KEUR

NL • Voluntary

Nemko

NO • Voluntary

Semko

SE • Voluntary

CE — Conformité Européenne

The CE marking is not a certification mark, but a conformity marking. It declares that the manufacturer confirms compliance of their product with all applicable EU directives on their own responsibility. No regulated product may be placed on the EU single market without CE. It is the entry ticket to the European market — but not a quality mark and not an independent third-party assessment.

► Details: CE Marking Explained

UKCA — UK Conformity Assessed (Post-Brexit)

Since Brexit, CE is no longer sufficient for Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). From January 2024 the UKCA mark is mandatory for most product categories on the British market. The mark is technically equivalent to CE but requires separate UK declarations of conformity and — for certain products — UK Approved Bodies. Northern Ireland remains a special case: CE continues to apply under the Windsor Framework.

RoHS
compliant

RoHS — Restriction of Hazardous Substances

EU Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2, updated by 2015/863/EU as RoHS 3) restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Prohibited are inter alia: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, PBDE, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP. The "RoHS compliant" logo is not an officially standardised symbol but appears frequently on datasheets. In B2B: as an importer you share responsibility — always request a RoHS declaration of conformity from your supplier.

WEEE — Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol is the WEEE marking under EU Directive 2012/19/EU. Meaning: this device must not be disposed of in household waste but must be returned via municipal e-waste collection or take-back systems. Mandatory on all electrical devices in the EU. B2B buyers as first users are legally obligated to ensure proper disposal.

CCC — China Compulsory Certification

The CCC mark (also "3C") is the mandatory certification for market access in the People's Republic of China. It is issued by the national certification authority CNCA and covers safety, EMC and specific Chinese standards. Relevant for export buyers: without CCC, electrical products cannot be sold in China.

GS — Geprüfte Sicherheit (Tested Safety)

The GS mark stands for Geprüfte Sicherheit (Tested Safety) and is a voluntary safety mark under the German Product Safety Act (ProdSG). Products have been tested and certified by an independent testing body (TÜV, DEKRA, VDE etc.) for safety compliance. Unlike CE, the GS mark is a genuine third-party certification and provides greater legal certainty in product liability cases. It is recognised across the EU.

Typical products: Household appliances, power tools, office furniture

VDE — German Electrotechnical Association

The VDE mark is awarded exclusively by the VDE Testing and Certification Institute and documents the electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of a product in accordance with VDE/DIN standards. It covers electrical, mechanical, thermal, toxic and other hazards. In Germany it is used by purchasing departments as a quality indicator and is frequently required in public procurement. A separate VDE cable mark exists for cables, wiring and installation materials.

Typical products: Electrical equipment, installation materials, cables and wiring

VDE Cable Mark (Germany)

The VDE cable mark is used specifically for cables and wiring, insulating sleeving, conduits and cable ducting. It certifies compliance with the relevant VDE standards and serves as a quality indicator for installation materials in Germany.

Typical products: Power cables, data cables, installation cables

ENEC — European Norms Electrical Certification

The ENEC mark is the pan-European agreed conformity mark for electrotechnical products. It certifies conformity with European safety standards, especially EN 60598, and is comparable to the VDE mark — with the difference that ENEC is recognised in all EU member states. The mark is displayed together with the identification number of the national testing institute (e.g. 10 for VDE).

Typical products: Luminaires and lighting technology, household appliances, electrical installations

UL / cUL — Underwriters Laboratories (USA / Canada)

UL is the most important private testing and certification organisation in North America. Although the UL mark is formally voluntary, US insurance companies, building codes and major retailers require it de facto as mandatory. Without UL listing many products cannot be marketed in the US. The Canadian equivalent is cUL. For B2B export to North America, UL certification is essential.

ÖVE — Austrian Electrotechnical Association

The ÖVE mark (Österreichischer Verband für Elektrotechnik) confirms the safety and standards compliance of an electrotechnical product under Austrian standards. It is awarded exclusively by the ÖVE Testing and Certification Institute and is the Austrian equivalent of the German VDE mark.

Typical products: Household appliances, industrial electronics, installation materials

KEMA-KEUR (Netherlands)

The KEMA-KEUR mark is awarded by the Dutch testing organisation KEMA (now part of the DEKRA Group) and certifies compliance with European safety standards. It is well recognised across Europe and internationally.

Typical products: Electrical installations, household appliances, industrial products

Nemko (Norway)

The Nemko mark is awarded by the Norwegian certification body Nemko (Oslo) and certifies compliance with national and international safety standards. It is internationally recognised and particularly strong in Scandinavian markets.

Typical products: Electronic devices, household appliances, lighting technology

Semko (Sweden)

The Semko mark is awarded by the Swedish testing and certification body Semko (now part of Intertek) and certifies compliance with Swedish and European safety standards. It enjoys Europe-wide recognition.

Typical products: Household appliances, power tools, lighting technology

Is CE a certification mark?

No. CE is a manufacturer's self-declaration — not an independently verified certification. For genuine third-party safety testing, GS, VDE or ENEC are the relevant marks.

What is the difference between GS and VDE?

GS is a general safety mark under ProdSG, which can be awarded by various approved bodies (TÜV, DEKRA, VDE etc.). The VDE mark is awarded exclusively by the VDE Institute and focuses specifically on electrical safety and EMC per VDE/DIN standards.

What does RoHS compliance mean for B2B procurement?

RoHS-compliant products contain no prohibited hazardous substances above permitted concentration thresholds. As an importer you share responsibility — always request a RoHS declaration of conformity from your supplier.

Is a GS mark from Germany valid in Austria and Switzerland?

In Austria: yes, GS is recognised. In Switzerland: recognised; CE also applies for the Swiss market (Switzerland has largely adopted EU product law). The Austrian ÖVE mark is the equivalent to VDE for the Austrian market.

Certified Products in Our Shop

Safety technology, installation materials and measurement equipment with GS, VDE and CE markings. Conformity documents available on request. Over 625,000 items for commercial buyers.

Phone: +49 (0)7666 / 88499-0  ·  E-Mail: sales@industry-electronics.com