Time and again the sheer number of different test marks has been criticized, as it tends to confuse consumers rather than offer them guidance. TÜV Rheinland already responded to this in 2012, and the company only awards a single TÜV mark (compared to the previous number of around 130). In addition to this, one test mark is also awarded by subsidiary LGA for certain products, e.g. toys. However, TÜV Rheinland is accredited (authorized) to award various other test marks that have not been developed internally by the company and that are, in some cases, governed by statute. In Germany, this includes for example the GS mark for approved safety (this is not a test mark of TÜV Rheinland, but of the Federal Republic of Germany). Criticisms of the proliferation of test marks should not focus solely on the testing companies, but also on the large number of associations that develop test marks and on the political processes involved. Incidentally, the CE mark is not a test mark or seal of quality. CE stands for Communauté Européenne, French for European Community, and was introduced based on EU law. With this mark, the manufacturer himself declares to the relevant authorities that his product complies with the European rules – no more and no less. After all, it is the responsibility of the product manufacturers to check that their products comply with the European directives and to keep records of these tests on document.