Made in Germany quality seal
It’s hard to believe, but the Made in Germany logo was originally created as a warning. It was 23 August 1887 when the new Trade Mark Act was passed in Great Britain. At that time, trade in the European single market was growing rapidly. The British had already secured their position as the leading European industrial nation, but many other nations – including Germany – were trying to copy the high-quality British products. This was of particular concern to the knife makers around Sheffield, who enjoyed an excellent reputation and were proud of it. Gradually, however, more and more knives, scissors, razor blades and files began to appear in England that bore a striking resemblance to the original British products, but were significantly inferior in quality. To make matters worse, the counterfeits were also brazenly labelled “Sheffield made”. The British government therefore had to take action and introduced compulsory labelling for imported goods. In this way, the economy could be protected from the unwelcome and inferior counterfeits. At the time, Made in Germany meant: Beware, this product is just a bad copy and comes from Germany.
The idea was actually to force German products off the market in this way. However, the plan turned out to be a failure for the UK, as German industry was able to catch up enormously in the following years. Whether knives or pencils, clothing or toys, by the end of the 19th century the warning “Made in Germany” had suddenly become a seal of quality. Throughout Europe, more and more consumers opted for products from Germany, which at that time were already characterised by an excellent price-performance ratio. As a result, the German economy experienced almost explosive growth.
What does the Made in Germany quality seal stand for?
To this day, the Made in Germany quality seal stands for products of the highest quality. An international study conducted in 2017 found that Made in Germany is still in first place on the “Made in Index”. The study compared the designations of origin of a total of 52 countries. However, Made in Germany is not an officially recognised seal of quality. Producers from the EU can also decide for themselves whether to label their goods with a designation of origin. However, the Made in Germany quality seal is indirectly recognised as a promise of quality, and this must be able to stand up to scrutiny by a court. However, even experts are undecided about the exact details. Some believe that it is sufficient if the individual parts are assembled in Germany, even though they come from different countries. Others are of the opinion that the majority (i.e. at least 51 per cent) of the individual parts must be of German origin. There is no precise regulation in this regard, either at national or international level. However, various court judgements have at least established legal guidelines. Three aspects are therefore decisive for the Made in Germany quality seal: The main production and final assembly must take place in Germany, and the main part of the value added must also be in Germany. On the other hand, it is perfectly permissible to buy in a few components from abroad. However, these must not be decisive for the key properties of the finished product.
What criteria apply to Made in Germany quality seals?
In addition, the Made in Germany initiative stipulates a 100 per cent value-added share, i.e. it goes beyond the legal requirements. Only exception is raw materials, as companies are dependent on imports due to the lack of availability in Germany in some cases. The initiative therefore clearly sets participating companies apart from those producers who only orientate themselves on the aforementioned guidelines. Stricter guidelines contribute significantly to the excellent reputation and customer confidence in the Made in Germany quality seal.
Why are cosmetics with the Made in Germany quality seal so popular?
Made in Germany is particularly popular in the cosmetics sector. Just think of the internationally popular trend G-Beauty (for German Beauty). In the areas of beauty and care, too, the label stands for the highest quality. But that’s not all. Made in Germany epitomises clean formulations worldwide, in which natural or organic ingredients take centre stage. It also means no animal testing, a high level of development expertise that is considered typically German, trustworthy certifications and often a long tradition. Cosmetics bearing the Made in Germany quality seal are regarded as reliable, sustainable, authentic and down-to-earth. For many discerning users, it is therefore a welcome alternative to the K-Beauty hype from Asia. Another very important issue in this context is potential scientifically proven effectiveness. Cosmetics with the Made in Germany quality seal also stand for the so-called Doctor Brands.
Cosmetics with the Made in Germany quality seal: synonymous with first-class quality
The simplicity of formulations, exemplary transparency with regard to ingredients and ease of use: all this is synonymous with cosmetics made in Germany. Care and beauty products manufactured in Germany are consistently associated with positive properties, not only in Germany but also – or especially – abroad. Word has spread around the world for decades that we traditionally “tinker” with passion until the result is so perfect that it fulfils even the highest demands. Products with the Made in Germany quality seal are and remain a guarantee of success for German manufacturers.
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