Requirements for Made in Germany
For consumers, the Made in Germany seal is synonymous with high quality. Many think of German engineering, inventiveness, state-of-the-art technical standards and reliability.
For this reason, consumers are willing to pay more for a product. For many manufacturers, it is therefore very attractive to use this label for their own products.
But what requirements must dealers and manufacturers meet,
so that it is a product Made in Germany?
The value chain as an indication
Here, the manufacturing process is decisive. In principle, the designation „Made in Germany“ requires production in Germany. The weightiest components in the manufacture of a product, such as development, design, production and quality assurance take place exclusively in Germany.
1. Development
A wide variety of factors, such as product requirements at the customer, materials, cost-effectiveness, etc., come together during development. All these points are analyzed and used for the conception of the product.
2. Design
The visual factor plays a major role in the decision before purchase and also in the use of the product. Thoughtful, modern and reduced design ensures easy and comfortable use of the product.
3. Production
The most important and largest component of the value chain for a Made in Germany product is manufacturing. The perfect cooperation of man, machine and tool is a prerequisite for highest precision and quality.
4. Quality assurance
Through years of experience and trained personnel, the quality of the products is guaranteed by extensive inspections and tests.
legal basis
There is no precise regulation, either at national or European level, as to how high the proportion of the value chain produced in Germany must be. However, a number of court rulings provide legal guidance on the Made in Germany designation of origin.
The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court made a start in 1995 and defined the decisive criteria for the designation Made in Germany. In 2002, this ruling was further substantiated by the Stuttgart Regional Court. The following three aspects are decisive:
significant production in Germany
final assembly in Germany
decisive share of value added in Germany
The purchase of a few individual components abroad is permitted if these are not decisive for the decisive properties of the end product.