DAkkS

DAkkS
Name	Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle
Native name	Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH
Formed	2010
Preceding1	Deutsche Akkreditierungsrat
Jurisdiction	Germany
Headquarters	Berlin
Chief1 name	Andreas Ellmer
Chief1 position	President
Website	(official site)

DAkkS is the national accreditation body of Germany responsible for assessing and formally recognizing conformity assessment bodies such as testing laboratories, calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies. It operates within a framework of national law, European Union regulation, and international standards to provide formal attestation that conformity assessment bodies are competent to carry out specific tasks. DAkkS plays a central role in facilitating market access, regulatory compliance, and international trade by linking Berlin-based administration with networks like the European co-operation for Accreditation and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.

History

DAkkS traces its institutional origins to post-reunification efforts to harmonize standards between Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic systems and to meet obligations arising from European Union integration and World Trade Organization membership. The establishment in 2010 followed deliberations by the German Bundestag, decisions by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and consultations with the German Institute for Standardization and the Deutscher Akkreditierungsrat. Early activities built upon accreditation traditions exemplified by bodies such as the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and long-standing laboratory networks in Hamburg and Munich. Over time, DAkkS absorbed functions previously distributed among regional chambers and private accreditation entities to create a single national authority aligned with instruments like Regulation (EC) No 765/2008.

Legal status and mandate

DAkkS is constituted as a federal accreditation body under German law, operating as a private-law company with public functions mandated by legislation and governmental oversight from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Its mandate derives from European regulatory frameworks, including Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 on European standardisation and Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 on accreditation and market surveillance. DAkkS carries statutory responsibilities to award accreditation certificates, withdraw or suspend accreditation, and publish accreditation databases used by authorities such as the European Commission, the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, and sector regulators in areas like aviation and medical devices. Judicial review of DAkkS decisions may involve administrative courts in Karlsruhe and Frankfurt.

Organizational structure

DAkkS is governed by a supervisory board and an executive management combining technical directors and administrative officers. Its governance bodies include representatives from ministries such as the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, industry stakeholders including the Federation of German Industries, and representation from trade associations like the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Operational units are organized into divisions for accreditation of laboratories under standards like ISO/IEC 17025, certification bodies under ISO/IEC 17021, inspection bodies under ISO/IEC 17020, and proficiency testing providers under ISO/IEC 17043. Regional offices coordinate with metropolitan centers in Hamburg, Cologne, and Stuttgart to conduct assessments, witness audits, and technical evaluations.

Accreditation services and scope

DAkkS accredits conformity assessment bodies across multiple sectors, offering scope listings that reference international standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 15189, ISO/IEC 17065, and ISO/IEC 17024. Sector-specific programmes include accreditation for clinical laboratories linked to the Robert Koch Institute, environmental testing laboratories engaged with the European Environment Agency, food safety laboratories interacting with the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and certification bodies serving Automotive Industry supply chains involving actors like Volkswagen and BMW. DAkkS also provides accreditation for green-house gas verification aligned with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change mechanisms and supports conformity assessment in sectors regulated by the European Medicines Agency and the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

International relations and recognition

DAkkS maintains membership and active participation in multilateral arrangements such as the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and engages with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Through peer evaluations and multilateral recognition arrangements, DAkkS-secured accreditations are mutually recognized by bodies like the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and the French Committee for Accreditation, facilitating cross-border acceptance of test reports and certificates in markets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Bilateral cooperation agreements include technical cooperation with national bodies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment.

Quality assurance and standards development

DAkkS applies rigorous quality assurance via internal peer assessments, technical advisory committees, and participation in standards development through organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization, the European Committee for Standardization, and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. It contributes to drafting and interpretation of standards like ISO 9001 and sector-specific standards impacting pharmaceutical and energy industries. Scientific liaison occurs with research-oriented institutions such as the Max Planck Society and the Fraunhofer Society to ensure that accreditation methodologies reflect advances in measurement science, metrology, and laboratory best practices.

Category:Accreditation bodies