„European Certification Body“ (ECB) is a since 7 July 1992 accredited (ISO/IEC 17065) and neutral certification body for physical security products. It certifies according to (European Standards) – without any national additional requirements. ECB issues the ECB•S certification mark.[1]
Certified security products may be marked with the blue ECB•S certification mark. A requirement of the ECB•S certification is a type testing according to European Standards. The type test is based on an authentic and real-life simulation e.g. of a burglary or a fire. The result of the test leads to the qualification of the product (e.g. resistance grade I, II, III for a safe). Ongoing audits in the manufacturing plants are necessary to maintain an equal quality.
The ECB•S certification gives insurance companies a basis for the calculation of risks. Very often insurance companies assure worths only if they are kept in a tested and certified secure storage unit. Therefore it is recommended also by governmental bodies, e.g. the police, to better choose certified security products in doubt.[3]
The storage of weapons or medicine can require certified secure storage products.
ECB is together with the international security association ESSA[4] the follow-up organisations of the FuP e.V. The FuP, founded in 1969, initiated and forced the standardization of physical security products. At first in Germany, later on also on the European Market.