uncletony's Approval Symbols

Approval Symbols: Which countries use which symbols and other stuff ...

All industrialized countries have safety approval bodies. Some of these are government departments/agencies and some are commercial organisations.

When a product meets required safety standards it is permitted to attach a symbol to identify the Approving Authority.

This table shows the country of origin of many commonly seen symbols.

This list is displayed in no particular order and by no means shows all the symbols currently in use.

Commonly seen Approval Symbols & Marks

	British Standards Institution (BSI) Often called the 'Kite Mark'. UK			PSE Approval Mark required by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (DENAN). Japan
	The EMKO co-operation is an agreement for the Nordic test and certification bodies. Demko Denmark			GOSSTANDART - GOST certification is mandatory for a wide range of products. Russia
	Nemko Norway			VDE Germany
	Semko Sweden A new Semko mark was introduced in October 2003. Roll-over this image to reveal the new one.			The ‘ENEC’ mark (European Norms Electrical Certification) is a European product certification mark which is based on testing to harmonised European safety standards. The number shown to the right of the mark indicates CCA member. (in this case 17 = Nemko)
	SETI Finland			The GS-mark is a German certification mark controlled by the German Ministry of Labour on behalf of the German Provinces. The GS Mark is a voluntary mark.
	Underwriters Laboratory USA			Canadian Standards Agency CSA has had US recognition since 1986 Canada
	OVE Austria			SEV Switzerland
	IMQ Italy			KEMA Netherlands
	Although the CE mark indicates conformity with the principal elements of the EU Directives it is not, in itself, a ‘Product Certification’ mark. Unlike ‘Product Certification’, a manufacturer is perfectly at liberty to put a CE mark on any product with no independent assessment at all. This is known as ‘self certification’. Whilst this may seem easy and convenient, it is of limited use if then later the manufacturer has to defend himself against any legal action. The mark is often dismissed by retailers as insufficient evidence of compliance. CE Europe More information here			Ex - Flameproof Equipment (applied to electrical equipment that may be used in hazardous atmospheres).

Commonly seen Safety markings on Electrical Products


	Fail-safe safety transformer (When the F is shown with any other symbol this indicated a fail-safe product)		Product fitted with thermal cut-out (number indicates cut-out temperature)
	Short-circuit proof safety transformer		Safe Extra Low Voltage (Class 3) SELV product
	Isolating safety transformer		Association of Short Circuit Test Authorities
	For use on lighting circuits only		Product protected by internal fuse
	Product is safe to fit on materials combustible above 200°C		For indoor use only
	Product is safe for use in furniture		Double insulated product
	Equipment approved for connection to telephone network (UK only) (this symbol is due to be replaced)

If you would like to see more Symbol(s) added to this list, please e-mail uncletony

www.uncletony.co.uk

Approval Symbols: Which countries use which symbols and other stuff ...