Are test reports credible?

The risk: nice-looking reports that prove nothing

Test reports often look official: logo of a known body, stamps, signature. But only close inspection shows: was the actually-shipped product tested? Does the report come from an accredited lab? Are the test methods correct? Or was only a prototype tested while mass production uses different materials?

The EU Joint Research Centre has documented in several studies how often "test reports" are actually based on prototypes or pre-production units — not on the final delivered products.

How we verify test reports for credibility

1. Laboratory accreditation

Genuine reports carry the ILAC accreditation number or national accreditation identifier (e.g., DAkkS for Germany, Akkreditierung Austria for Austria). We verify against the ILAC Signatory Database.

2. Match with applicable standard

A report must reference the exact standard — not "similar to EN xxx," but "tested per EN 60335-1:2012 + A11:2014 + A13:2017." We check whether this standard is still valid (see EU Harmonised Standards) and whether the tested product matches the order.

3. Test date vs. production date

A common trick: test report is from 2020 for the pre-series, you receive goods from 2026 with changed components. We check: when was the test done? Has the product been modified since? Are the materials still the same?

4. Direct verification at the lab

We contact the lab directly with the report number. Genuine labs (TÜV SÜD, DEKRA, SGS, Intertek) confirm authenticity or deny in case of forgery.

5. Random-sample re-test

For high-value orders we commission a re-test at an independent lab — e.g., TÜV Süd Chengdu or DEKRA Shenzhen. We compare with the original report. Discrepancies show immediately: original was fake or pre-series-specific.

6. Test sample identification

The report must contain test sample identification (serial number, batch, production date of the tested unit). Without this, the report is worthless for mass production.

Common forgery patterns

• Logo copy — TÜV/DEKRA logo pasted onto own layout via Photoshop.
• Expired standard — standard version is no longer valid (e.g., EN 60335-1:2002 — superseded by Edition 2012+A11+A13).
• Wrong accreditation number — belongs to a different body or doesn't exist.
• Taken from a competitor — report was issued for a similar product of another manufacturer, data re-labeled.
• Partial test — only 1 of 12 required tests performed, report suggests completeness.

Consequences if ignored

• Market surveillance stop — EU authorities test by sample. Diverging values: sales ban.
• Recall costs — sample tests by authorities can force mandatory recall. Cost: €5,000 – €500,000 depending on scope.
• RAPEX entry — public listing in EU Safety Gate. Stays visible for years.
• Damages — for injuries, product liability applies.

Sources & further reading

• ILAC Signatories Database
• DAkkS — German Accreditation Body
• Akkreditierung Austria
• CNAS — China National Accreditation Service
• EU Safety Gate / RAPEX