Find certified ergonomic products to support back health in everyday life
What characteristics must a product have to provide optimal support for your back and make your life easier rather than more difficult? In the vast array of products available, choosing the right one is no easy task, as it is often impossible to tell which products are genuinely back-friendly – unless they have been awarded the ‘Aktion Gesunder Rücken’ (AGR) seal of approval.
The AGR seal of approval is awarded exclusively to products that have been assessed as being particularly back-friendly. To carry out this assessment, the professional associations Forum Gesunder Rücken – besser leben e. V. and the Bundesverband deutscher Rückenschulen e. V. set up an independent testing committee. Experts from various specialist fields subject a wide range of products to strict testing criteria. If the committee concludes that the products demonstrably promote back health, they are awarded the AGR seal of approval.
The path to the AGR seal of approval
In order to be approved for the seal of approval examination, a manufacturer must first apply to the Aktion Gesunder Rücken. If the preliminary test, during which a member of the test committee inspects the products on site, is successfully passed, the main examination takes place. This takes place twice a year over several days and is organised by the Aktion Gesunder Rücken. The manufacturers must now demonstrate the back-friendly benefits of the product to the entire test committee by presenting the mode of action and proving it, for example, in the form of studies. The important thing here is that every product must be on site and is closely scrutinised by the examiners. Once the test has been successfully completed, a licence agreement is concluded. This regulates the handling of the seal of approval and includes, for example, that the manufacturer undertakes to report all changes to the product to the testing body. The experts then decide whether a follow-up inspection is necessary.
Your path to a healthy back
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What can you do to relieve back pain?
Even if no medical cause has been identified,
back-friendly products can make everyday life easier.
Who can help you?
Information and expert advice will help you
find a suitable solution.
Guidance from the AGR
Aktion Gesunder Rücken e. V. awards the AGR sea´l of approval to products that are particularly back-friendly.
Independently tested
A panel of experts from the fields of medicine and therapy assesses the products.
Product assessment
The panel investigates whether a product is suitable for preventing or alleviating back problems.
Scientific and practical evidence
Manufacturers must provide verifiable evidence of their product’s back-friendly design.
Awarding the seal of approval
Only products that successfully pass the test
are permitted to bear the quality mark.
Confidence in product selection
The AGR seal of approval identifies independently tested and
recommended products.
Your benefits at a glance
Greater peace of mind when buying
Guidance through the vast array of products
Support for good posture
Prevention of back pain
Scientifically proven quality
Officially recognised by the EU as a trustworthy quality mark.
There are a multitude of quality marks on the market, amongst which, unfortunately, there are also many dubious providers. It is often very difficult for consumers to identify which certificates they can trust: what does the mark actually mean, what are the requirements, and who actually checks the product or service? Very few quality marks provide a reliable answer to these questions. We at Aktion Gesunder Rücken have placed great emphasis on transparency ever since the AGR quality mark was introduced over 25 years ago, and we regularly undergo external audits:
The AGR quality seal and the testing process were scrutinised by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and recognised as reputable and trustworthy. It is therefore one of the few quality seals to have received this prestigious international award as an EU certification mark.
Survey
90 % of all respondents state that the patient’s willingness to use back-friendly everyday products is a key factor for success, including in therapy.
71 % of orthopaedic surgeons prefer to recommend products bearing the AGR quality mark.
Interview
How is the testing of AGR-certified products carried out? In this interview, the testing committee provides fascinating insights into its work and the requirements for back-friendly products.
Interview with Martin Vierl, medical expert
I am therefore well placed to assess the ergonomic benefits of a product. I contribute my expertise from 30 years of professional experience in surgical and conservative orthopaedics.
Which test criterion do you consider to be the most important?
I find it challenging to find out whether the buyer of a product with the AGR seal of approval benefits their health. We need good evidence here, such as scientifically designed studies. After all, the Aktion Gesunder Rücken and its seal of approval stand for a stable level of quality that we want to maintain. I personally have been familiar with the seal of approval since attending a back teacher seminar many years ago - and am always fascinated by the variety of products: from baby carriers and office furniture to asphalt rollers.
Can manufacturers rework their products?
Yes, for example, I was pleased to see the reintroduction of an office chair that we were unable to issue a certificate for due to a material breakage during testing. My suggestions for improvement were taken on board and implemented. Everything went smoothly during the retest.
Comments on the seal of approval
I bought a bicycle 10 years ago. The AGR seal of approval was one of the reasons for my choice and I have never regretted my purchase! The AGR assists occupational therapists with back health consultations. Not just with the seal of approval, but through many other offers as well. Here the focus is always on solutions for day-to-day life. These may be back-friendly products, like my bicycle or others such as furniture, mattresses, shoes or tools bearing the seal of approval. The other focus is on changing one's behaviours along with corresponding prevention programmes. We are thankful and appreciative of the enriching, long-term cooperation between the AGR and DVE (Deutscher Verband Ergotherapie e. V.).
(Federal Consortium for Posture and Exercise)
Faulty design of the spine!?
Since man started to walk upright, he has experienced meteoric advancement. However, modern lifestyles are detrimental to this evolutionary achievement.
For us, the "art" now consists in finding the right balance between our genetic heritage and progressive culture. In terms of spinal health, for years now the seal of approval awarded by the AGR e.V. (Campaign for Healthier Backs) has provided consumers with fundamental assistance when making purchasing decisions.
Back pain is among the chronic illnesses in Germany that rob affected individuals of the most years of a healthy life. Behaviour and condition-oriented prevention continues to be the number one way to combat this widespread disease. The AGR established the field of condition-oriented prevention in Germany over many decades, making a prominent name for itself. Today, condition-oriented prevention without the AGR would be unthinkable. We wish Mr Detjen and his team continued great success!
und Gesundheit bei der Arbeit (Basi) e. V.
Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common cause of incapacity for work, severe disability and premature disability in Germany and internationally. Counteracting this is the task of a large number of experts who advise companies on matters of safety and health at work. For them it is very helpful to be able to draw on the AGR seal of quality.
The AGR seal of approval has become a constant factor in providing advice on service issues related to the prevention and therapy of spinal conditions. The AGR seal of approval is a guarantee not just for us doctors when it comes to top quality advice for our patients. Avoiding backache is what counts essentially, and this is where the AGR makes a great contribution.
Musculoskeletal disorders are the most frequent health problems encountered by company doctors in dealing with the workforce. Our association supports the work of the AGR e.V. (Campaign for Healthier Backs); the AGR seal of approval helps consumers by providing information about back-friendly products.
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