History
Amusement Rides and Structures and Vehicle TÜV
Following the turn of the century, the association moved into the broad field of electrical engineering and the associated area of lifts and machinery.
In the years preceding the Second World War, first safety tests were performed on pipelines, storage tanks, public places of assembly and cable cars. This marked the beginning of the testing and inspection of “Amusement Rides and Structures“.
On 1 June 1926, an information and inspection centre for motor vehicles called “Maschinentechnische Beratungs- und Revisionsstelle fur Kraftfahrzeuge (MTB)” was established. This marked the beginning of TÜV Bayern’s activities in road safety - today its highest-volume business sector - even though the first automobile had taken to Munich’s roads as early as the summer of 1888, with Karl Benz himself at the wheel.The first official inspection stamp for motor vehicles - later commonly known as the "TÜV sticker" - was issued on 3 July 1926 just over one month after MTB establishment.
The post-war economic and technological boom also presented challenges for TÜV Bayern, which responded by embracing testing and inspection of entire refineries, plastics technology and - particularly important - testing of nuclear technology in its range of services. To increase individuals’ personal safety, TÜV SÜD engineers researched the interactions between man and machinery, embarking on type testing of equipment used at home, leisure and work to ensure that safety also extended to private life.
In the 1970s, approximately 100 years after TÜV SÜD’s foundation, the company added computer and microprocessor technology, data protection and occupational safety to its services. TÜV’s engineers also carried out research and provided advice on energy saving, the use of alternative energies and environmental protection. New areas such as e-business, food safety, medical technology and vehicle development have rounded off the service portfolio today.
Since 1971, TÜV Bayern has been officially recognized as an inspectorate for technical work equipment, including work and power machinery, vehicles and other means of transport, but also household appliances, sports and handicraft tools, and toys. The testing laboratory issues the official GS mark (Tested Safety) plus the DIN test mark and the test mark of the International Union of Alpinist Associations (UIAA). The latter applies to mountaineering equipment, the safety of which has been certified in the testing laboratory.
