Howard Wan, Global Key Account Manager Retail at TÜV Rheinland

Local authorities in the countries where Action operates all have their own requirements for product quality and safety. Combined with the fact that Action launches 150 new products every week, you can image that this poses quite a challenge. The TÜV/GS certificate for Action's wooden Mini Matter toys for its youngest customers meets international quality and safety requirements. This respected German quality label is well known internationally and guarantees the highest quality and safety.

The GS Mark stands for Geprüfte Sicherheit, translated as Tested Safety. TÜV Rheinland is the independent authorised organisation with whom Action works together closely on this certificate. There is a lot involved in this before the production process has even started and before a certified product reaches the shelves in the store. The purpose of GS licensing is to ensure that the safety requirements that apply to technical equipment have been fulfilled, that compliance is tested and regularly inspected.  

Ensuring quality before production  

Howard Wan, Global Key Account Manager Retail at TÜV Rheinland: “Our technical experts are closely involved in the buying process and give technical advice which includes a test plan, age grade, labelling and for example, suggestions for further improvement in case of any risks of the product. This all takes place even before the production of a product has started.” 

Staying up-to-date with regulations 

The process of GS also includes a review of the production capacity of the factory annually, and the supervision of the final products irregularly by sampling from factory or on shelf. This helps to ensure that the factory is qualified to produce safe and good quality products. When EU (harmonised) standards are updated, Action works jointly with TÜV Rheinland to ensure all GS licensed products can fulfil the latest standards and involve suppliers to cooperate. Regulatory changes are adopted into future plans, and suppliers are educated on how to cope with the latest requirements.

Product design on speed 

Howard: “We are glad to partner with Action. The transparent way of working and proactive exchange make Action stand out from other retailers on product design on speed with regular checking on product compliance. I’m looking forward to the further expansion of Action and all the challenges that lie ahead of us.’’