As a voluntary, self-regulatory body in the German economy, RAL stood opposed to the dirigist economic policies of the National Socialists. The ambition of the Third Reich to gain absolute autarchy was hostile to the idea of free world trade and fostered Germany’s isolation on the global market. The interest from manufacturers for RAL Gütezeichen (Quality Marks) disappeared. In the middle of the war, the responsible ministry in the Third Reich issued a state quality mark ordinance in 1942. RAL had thus lost its area of responsibility. There was no longer voluntary, self-regulation of the German economy in the form of quality marks.
