The CE mark is not a safety mark which businesses can rely upon when selecting products. Conversely, the GS mark signifies that health and safety are assured by a neutral body. In the view of the German statutory accident insurance institutions, the European Commission's intention to abolish the GS mark without replacement by an equivalent mark constitutes a major retrograde step for prevention.

The European Commission's answer to this question appears to be a clear “yes”. In the course of revision of the New Approach, the Commission therefore intends to force the Member States to remove all national marks from their legislation. The theme of the proposal is the strengthening of CE marking. The general objective is clear, however: the measure is an attack on the German GS mark, and therefore damaging to consumer safety.

In the view of the Confederation of German Industries (BDI), a need for action exists regarding CE marking. The BDI described this need in September 2007 in a position paper concerning CE marking and the discussion of a EU safety mark.

Studies conducted by market surveillance authorities and businesses have found that considerable uncertainty still exists concerning the CE marking of machinery and plant. In collaboration with industry and universities, the Environment Ministry of the region of Baden-Württemberg is to lead the CE-coach initiative, the aim of which is a substantial improvement in knowledge of CE marking in accordance with the directives.

Dr. Peter Kiehl worked at DIN from 1975 to 2007, and from 2000 was a member of its management board, with responsibility for the area of standardization. From 1994 onwards, he represented the interests of DIN at KAN. The following interview provides a look back over his interesting work in the sometimes conflicted areas of standardization and occupational safety and health. Dr. Kiehl retired on 31 October 2007.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao called; representatives of eleven OSH networks answered that call. At the A+A 2007 in Düsseldorf, OSH experts from throughout the world took advantage of the opportunity to pool their experience and to intensify co-operation.