From 1st October 2002 the directive 95/54/EC (marking according to e1) will be valid without restriction after a 7-year-lasting transition period for components and independent technical units designated for the use in vehicles. In particular a vehicle's refit with electronical devices without type approval e1 can lead to the expiration of the operating permission.
In Germany the type approval e1 can only be granted by the Kraftfahrtbundesamt (KBA) (Vehicle Certification Agency VCA).

For products which come under the scope of certain EU directives the manufacturer has to affix the CE-marking to . The CE-marking is an "administrative sign" which is directed towards technical supervisory authorities. It informs the authorities about the fact that the marked product is in compliance with the directives and that - until proof of non-conformity - the distribution is not to be hindered within the European Union. Thus the CE-marking is a free circulation mark and since the marking is a prerequisite for the circulation it is a kind of "trade passport". The CE marking is not directed to buyers and customers. Thus it is neither a quality sign nor a safety sign nor a standard conformity sign. It isn't a standard conformity sign either, if implementation of directive is proved by harmonised standards.

Many products are "as alike two peas in a pod". Often end users do not know which deciding factor to consider. Who realises the "inner worth" of a device at first glance? To manufacturers who want to place their products successfully onto the market this means to set a mark for safety! In the field of product safety (device safety) the GS-mark which is existing for more than 20 years is enjoying highest appreciation. In the present market situation where products from all over the world compete for the buyers' favour the GS-mark is more relevant than ever before. The consumers trust this mark awarded by an independent testing body not only in Germany but meanwhile also in the east and west neighbouring countries. The device safety law, completed by present standards, forms the basis according to which any "usable work device" (so the original denomination) can be tested and certified. Most of our hand lamps and machine lights are safety-tested by the TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH and certified with the GS-mark. The cooperation is also especially effective for us since we are consulting the testing specialists already during the product development stage. Thus the necessary degree of safety can be "incorporated" right from the start.

• acceptance of test results in various countries
• Simplification of obtaining a national approval by avoiding multiple testings according to the same IEC standards
  
• Reduction of international trade barriers

It is the only international procedure for mutual recognition of test results among the members of the CB procedure in order to obtain a national approval. The procedure is based on a CB certificate and a CB test report clearly stating that the device presented to be tested has successfully passed the testing according to the corresponding IEC standards.

A CB certificate granted by one member of the CB procedure serves as proof to other members that a sample of the corresponding product was tested and found to comply with the IEC standard. The CB certificate is only valid in combination with the corresponding CB test report.

The CB test report is a standardized test report consisting of a reference check list. The applicated technical standard is checked point by point. It gives clear and unambiguous information about the test result similar to a declaration of conformity giving information about the product. In order to show how the device is constructed or how critical points of the device were solved and as a rule one or more product photos are added.