Questions & answers
FAQ on the use of the trademark
No. Anyone who has successfully undergone a test by a TÜV company is provided with the relevant test mark. Only this test mark may be used.
Yes. Even anyone who unknowingly uses a fake TÜV test mark is committing a trademark violation. You can tell whether a TÜV test mark is fake either by means of visual differences from the original test marks or by checking the alleged owner of the test mark in the certificate database of the appropriate TÜV group.
No. The logos of the TÜV groups are exclusively reserved for use by these groups.
No, because no products are checked in a system audit, merely the internal production processes. The system audit is therefore not related to any products.
No. Test reports generally only apply to a test of part of an overall process. In other words, a test report is merely a statement about a specific part of an overall test. The words “TÜV-tested” give the (false) impression that a comprehensive test has been carried out by a TÜV company.
No. A domain containing the name “TÜV” can always only be registered by the TÜV groups themselves.
No. A company name with the word “TÜV” in its designation may only be registered by the TÜV groups themselves.
No. The details in the TÜV certificate must not be changed. Any change is not only a trademark violation, it is also a forgery of a document and will be prosecuted.
No. Any use of “TÜV free” as a synonym for “exempt from registration” or “not requiring approval” could mean that “TÜV” is then no longer recognised as a trademark and is deleted from the register. Therefore, any trademark holder must systematically act against any such use.
Yes, but only if you offer the product under the name of the manufacturer. If you offer the product under your own name, you must not use the manufacturer's certificate, you need your own certificate (a “co-certificate”).
No. If the certificate has expired, any products which are placed on the market for the first time after it has expired are no longer deemed to have been tested.
No.
Yes. Even anyone who unknowingly uses a fake TÜV certificate is committing a trademark violation. You can tell whether a TÜV certificate is fake by checking the alleged owner or the certificate number of the certificate in the certificate database of the issuing TÜV group.