VDE  are used throughout the world, but do you know what VDE means or stands for?

What does VDE mean?

To ensure that tools are safe to use when working with electricity, standards are set for testing tools and other hand tools and this standard is know as VDE. VDE takes its acronym from the company Verband der Elektrotechnik (Origionally – Association of German Electrical Enginners, now – Association for Electrical, Electronic &Information Technologies) in Germany who are responsible for testing and certifying tools and appliances.

The VDE standard is being recognised more and more these days especially in the light of health and safety regulations which are now everwhere in the building trade. Seeing the VDE trademark on a pair of pliers or a screwdriver gives assurance that it is safe to use. Alongside the VDE mark is often found a voltage limit which indicates the voltage that this tool is safe to work with. Like most safety standards, the voltage these tools are tested to is far and above the limit printed on the tool ensuring maximum safety.

To bear the VDE Certification Mark, tools are put through very rigorous testing to ensure that the quality, construction, safety and even ergonomics meet with protective requirements of the applicable EC Directive.