The VDE test mark on an electrical appliance indicates that it

• meets the protection and safety requirements of nationally and internationally harmonised standards and directives and, in addition
• conforms to VDE’s own specifications and standards.

According to VDE, the VDE test mark is thus considered “synonymous with the highest test quality and the highest safety standard in electrical engineering”. If an electrical appliance has been certified with one of the VDE marks in Germany, the VDE test report is also recognised in most other European countries for procedures which are allowed to bear their own national test marks.

Trade, consumers, users and those responsible for electrical safety in companies are well advised to pay attention to this VDE mark. After all, a CE mark alone is no guarantee of safety. Time and again, the market surveillance authorities have to withdraw products from the market which, despite a CE mark, have significant safety deficiencies.

Source: Dr. Friedhelm Kring, freelance editor and proofreader focusing on occupational health and safety