“CE-geprüft” (“CE-tested”) is misleading: the CE marking is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets EU rules — not a test seal. You may only advertise with “TÜV-geprüft”, the GS mark or “dermatologisch getestet” when a certificate or study exists for this exact product and shoppers can find out what was tested. Here is when each claim is allowed and how to word it better on Amazon.de and other German marketplaces.
CE is not a test seal
With the CE marking the manufacturer indicates that it takes responsibility for the product’s conformity with all applicable EU harmonisation legislation (Article 30(3) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008). The manufacturer or its authorised representative affixes it. Only for some product groups is a notified body involved in the conformity assessment; its four-digit number then appears next to the CE. Even then, CE is not a quality or test seal.
Calling a product “CE-geprüft”, “CE-zertifiziert” or “mit CE-Prüfsiegel” suggests an independent test that did not happen in that form. In Germany that is a misleading statement about test results under § 5(2) no. 1 UWG, and a classic reason for an Abmahnung.
CE may also only appear on products for which an EU law provides for it — electrical appliances, toys or personal protective equipment, for example (Article 30(2)). A T-shirt, a mug or a wooden shelf normally has no CE marking; “mit CE” in such a listing is simply wrong.
Legal duties are not a selling point
Since 27 September 2026 the UWG blacklist has a new point 10a: presenting requirements that the law imposes on all products of the category in the EU as a distinctive feature of your offer is prohibited in every case. It comes from Directive (EU) 2024/825.
For CE this means that bullet points such as “✔ CE-zertifiziert für Ihre Sicherheit” or a CE badge presented as a benefit in the product image are risky — every comparable appliance must carry CE. The same goes for “RoHS-konform” on electrical goods or “GPSR-konform” when sold as an advantage. Where the information is factually needed, state it neutrally in the technical data.
TÜV, GS and other test marks
The GS mark (“Geprüfte Sicherheit”, tested safety) is granted by an approved GS body at the manufacturer’s request after a type test and production checks (§ 20 ProdSG). It is valid for five years at most or for a specific production batch. Every GS body must publish a list of the certificates it has issued (§ 22(1) ProdSG) — that is where you can check your supplier’s statement.
“TÜV-geprüft” or any other test mark requires a real test of this exact model. The German Federal Court of Justice also requires that shoppers can find out what criteria the test applied, for example through a link or reference (BGH, judgment of 21 July 2016, I ZR 26/15 — “LGA tested”). For your listing that means:
- name the testing body and the certificate or test number,
- say what was tested (e.g. “electrical safety”, not “quality”),
- keep the certificate for this exact model ready and check that it is valid,
- do not copy a seal from the supplier’s images that does not belong to your product.
Skin and allergy claims
“Dermatologisch getestet” (dermatologically tested), “hautverträglich” (skin-friendly), “hypoallergen” and “für empfindliche Haut” are claims you must be able to prove. For cosmetics, Regulation (EU) No 655/2013 requires every claim to be supported by adequate and verifiable evidence that fits the product and the effect claimed. More in the guide to cosmetics claims.
Textiles and other products have no specific regulation, but the same logic applies through § 5 UWG: without a study or certificate you can show, leave the claim out. “Schadstoffgeprüft” (tested for harmful substances) is only acceptable with a valid certificate you name with its number.
Better wording
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| CE-geprüft | leave it out, or neutrally in the technical data: CE-Kennzeichnung |
| ✔ CE-zertifiziert für Ihre Sicherheit | leave it out — it applies to every comparable product |
| TÜV-geprüfte Qualität | GS-Zeichen, geprüft von [Prüfstelle], Zertifikat-Nr. … — only with a certificate |
| dermatologisch getestet | leave it out, or cite the study you have, with its date |
| hypoallergen | leave it out if you have no evidence |
Check your listing
The claims checker and the free listing check flag CE wording as an error and test or skin claims as a point to verify, because only you know whether a certificate exists. The same check finds generic environmental claims, see green claims ban. What an Abmahnung costs is explained in Abmahnung for marketplace sellers.