Paid individual product review
We review the product submitted by the merchant. We do not create a ranking of an entire market.
Testing process
How we review products for the German-speaking market.
The IW process is built for merchants that want a product-specific trust seal with clear criteria, public license information and honest communication about what has been reviewed.
Defined IW criteria
The review follows transparent criteria for seller data, documents, safety, usability, packaging and value.
Public license reference
Approved products can receive a license number, validity period and public license page.
Clear boundaries
The seal is not an official certification and does not replace legal duties, CE responsibility or required approvals.
IW criteria
Seven review areas that help buyers understand the product.
The criteria are designed to make product quality, seller transparency and communication quality more visible. The result is tied to one reviewed product and one license.
Seller transparency
Company, shop, address, origin and contact information are clear enough for buyers.
Documents and labeling
Instructions, warnings, required markings and packaging texts are understandable and complete.
Material and workmanship
The product is checked for visible quality, finish, handling and plausible durability.
Use and safety
Normal use should be understandable, reasonable and free from obvious avoidable risks.
Claims and real benefit
Advertising promises, product page content and actual use should fit together.
Packaging and shipping
The product should arrive safely and avoid unnecessary packaging where possible.
Value for money
Price, target group and market context should be plausible for the product promise.
FAQ
Questions international merchants ask before a review.
The goal is transparent marketing, not confusion with official approval or comparative consumer testing.
Start product reviewIs this an official consumer protection test?
No. Initiative Warentest is a private testing service provider. The review is paid, product-specific and not an objective comparative consumer test.
Can international sellers use the seal?
Yes. The seal is especially useful for merchants that want to communicate trust to buyers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Does every product need a sample shipment?
Not always. Many digital or well-documented products can be reviewed through product data, documents and public product pages. A sample is requested when it is needed.
Does the IW seal replace CE marking?
No. Required legal markings and compliance duties remain the merchant's responsibility.