Testing and Evaluation fo PAHs will be included in GS Certification

On 20th November 2007, the committee for Technical Work Equipment and Consumer Products(AtAv) announced that GS certification would now include the examination of PAH. PAH examination and evaluation is now mandatory for GS certification. According to document ZEK 01-08 for GS certification, by 1 April 2008, manufactures must ensure that all consumer products sumitted for a GS certification or mark fulfil the statutory requirements concerning PAHs content. Following material should be tested:
— elastomeres(plastics and rubber materials)
— black or dark-colored polymers
— coatings and varnishes
— materials treated with conservation agents (leather products, wood, bast fibres and natural bristles)

This new requirement means that manufacturers that are applying for GS-mark approval suddenly face additional testing. This consumes time and may result in failure. Materials used in grips, appliance enclosures or components build by the appliance manufacturer can fail with the requirements as well as materials in components soured from external manufacturers. Such can be, among others, regulator knobs, switch knobs, bushing or power cords and plugs.