DAkkS

What DAkkS does

DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH) is Germany's national accreditation body, operating under a statutory legal mandate (AkkStelleG) as the sole provider of accreditation services for conformity assessment bodies in regulated German sectors. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Berlin, DAkkS accredits approximately 7,800 testing, calibration, and medical laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies, validation and verification bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers, and biobanks against international standards (ISO/IEC 17025, 15189, 17020, 17021-1, 17024, 17065, 17029, 17043, 17034, ISO 20387). Accreditations are accepted internationally through DAkkS's signatory status to the EA, IAF, and ILAC multilateral agreements.

DAkkS delivers services through a digital platform anchored by DAkkS-Port (an online portal for applications and document workflows), a publicly searchable database of accredited bodies, a centralised document and rules database, the DAkkS Academy for training events, and digital accreditation symbols (QR-code based) plus a calibration label. The organisation operates with ~350 employees and 26 technical units, supported by a curated community of ~1,100 external assessors. Distribution combines self-service digital channels, direct enterprise engagement (including a dedicated International Contact service for non-EU/EEA applicants), and structured training and webinar programmes.

DAkkS is a private limited company (GmbH) that acts on behalf of the German federal government, with supervisory oversight from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Revenue is generated through recurring accreditation fees (initial accreditation, reaccreditation, amendments, surveillance), paid DAkkS Academy training, and international accreditation services, though specific fee schedules are not publicly disclosed. Governance is exercised through a Shareholders' Meeting and Supervisory Board; Dr. Torben Frank became CEO on 1 June 2026, succeeding Dr. Stephan Finke.

Name

DAkkS

Legal name

Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS)

Website

https://dakks.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH) is Germany's national accreditation body, accrediting approximately 7,800 conformity assessment bodies — laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies — across regulated sectors under a statutory mandate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accreditation Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Accreditation services
• Conformity assessment
• Laboratory accreditation
• Certification bodies
• Quality infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Accreditation Fees: DAkkS charges fees for accreditation services, including initial accreditation, reaccreditation, amendments, and surveillance assessments. Fees apply across all accreditation activities (testing/calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies, etc.). Specific fee schedules are not publicly disclosed on the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DAkkS is Germany's national accreditation authority, issuing accreditations to conformity assessment bodies (testing/calibration laboratories, medical laboratories, inspection bodies, certification bodies for management systems, persons, and products, validation/verification bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers, and biobanks) against internationally recognised standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, 15189, 17020, 17021-1, 17024, 17065, 17029, 17043, 17034, and ISO 20387. It operates under a statutory legal mandate (AkkStelleG) and delivers its services through the DAkkS-Port online portal, structured on-site assessments, and the DAkkS Academy training programme.

Product overview

DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle) is the German national accreditation authority operating as a centralized service organization rather than a traditional software company. The core product portfolio centers on accreditation services for conformity assessment bodies, delivered through the DAkkS-Port online portal (for applications and document management), a public Database of Accredited Bodies (for verification), the DAkkS Academy (for training events), and a comprehensive Document Database containing application forms and assessment checklists. Additional offerings include the Digital Accreditation Symbol, the DAkkS Calibration Label for marking accredited calibration services, RSS newsfeeds for updates, and webinars for international organizations. The Central Service Department provides internal administrative infrastructure including IT systems. DAkkS issues approximately 7800 valid accreditation certificates across 26 technical units for various conformity assessment activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accreditation for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025) Accreditation service confirming the technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories to perform testing activities and calibrations with metrological traceability. For laboratories in sectors such as consumer health protection, construction, environmental testing, and industrial inspection.
• Accreditation for Medical Laboratories (DIN EN ISO 15189) Accreditation service confirming competence in medical laboratory testing and diagnostics for medical laboratories operating in the healthcare sector.
• Accreditation for Inspection Bodies (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020) Accreditation service confirming competence of inspection bodies to perform inspections across sectors including construction, product safety, and transport.
• Accreditation for Certification Bodies for Management Systems (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17021-1) Accreditation service for certification bodies that certify organisations against management system standards.
• Accreditation for Certification Bodies for Persons (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024) Accreditation service for certification bodies that certify individuals against personal competence schemes.
• Accreditation for Certification Bodies for Products, Processes and Services (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065) Accreditation service for certification bodies that certify products, processes, or services against relevant standards.
• Accreditation for Validation and Verification Bodies (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17029) Accreditation service for validation and verification bodies, including greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies supporting the EU Emissions Trading System.
• Accreditation for Proficiency Testing Providers (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043) Accreditation service for proficiency testing providers that organise interlaboratory comparison programmes.
• Accreditation for Reference Material Producers (DIN EN ISO 17034) Accreditation service for reference material producers confirming competence in producing reference materials.
• Accreditation for Biobanks (DIN EN ISO 20387) Accreditation service for biobanks confirming competence in the collection, preparation, and storage of biological materials.
• DAkkS Academy Training and Events Training and information services covering accreditation fundamentals, application processes, and sector-specific topics, delivered via online webinars and in-person events. For conformity assessment bodies, international applicants, and DAkkS assessors.
• DAkkS Calibration Label A quality label for calibration services performed within the framework of a DAkkS accreditation. Issued to accredited calibration laboratories to signal competence and protect against misuse of non-accredited labels.

Quantifiable outcome

• DAkkS issues approximately 7,800 valid accreditation certificates, confirming the competence of accredited bodies across all sectors.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAkkS is a signatory to the EA Multilateral Agreement (MLA), enabling mutual recognition of accreditation certificates among EA member bodies across Europe. DAkkS-accredited bodies can apply for the combined EA-DAkkS accreditation symbol, enhancing international recognition within Europe.
• International Accreditation Forum (IAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAkkS is a member of the IAF and signatory to its MLA, supporting international mutual recognition of accreditation for certification bodies and related conformity assessment activities, enabling global acceptance of DAkkS-accredited certifications.
• International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAkkS is a member of ILAC and signatory to its MLA, covering testing, calibration, medical laboratory, inspection, reference material producer, and proficiency testing provider accreditations, facilitating global acceptance of DAkkS-accredited results.
• Alliance for Cyber-Security (Allianz für Cyber-Sicherheit)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAkkS is a participant in the German Alliance for Cyber-Security initiative, coordinated by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), contributing to national cybersecurity resilience in the quality infrastructure domain.
• Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, BMWK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAkkS acts on behalf of the German federal government under its legal mandate. The BMWK exercises supervisory oversight and is the responsible ministry for accreditation policy. DAkkS participates in BMWK initiatives such as the Global Project Quality Infrastructure (GPQI).
• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAkkS participates in technical cooperation projects with UNIDO as part of international development assistance, contributing expertise in quality infrastructure and accreditation to support industrial development in partner countries.
• GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDAkkS collaborates with GIZ in international technical cooperation projects, including twinning projects and bilateral development programmes, to strengthen quality infrastructure and accreditation systems in partner countries.
• German-Indonesian Working Group on Quality Infrastructure (GPQI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAkkS is active in the German-Indonesian Working Group on Quality Infrastructure under the GPQI initiative of the BMWK. In May 2026, DAkkS attended the 3rd Annual Meeting and associated events in Jakarta to strengthen German-Indonesian cooperation in quality infrastructure.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Accreditation Canada: Accreditation Canada is Canada's national accreditation authority, evaluating conformity assessment bodies and standards-developing organisations against international standards — comparable in role and scope to DAkkS, with ILAC/IAF MLA signatory status.
• A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation): A2LA is a US-focused non-profit accreditation body that accredits testing and calibration laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025, directly overlapping with DAkkS's laboratory accreditation scope.
• COFRAC (Comité Français d'Accréditation): COFRAC is France's sole national accreditation body, operating under a similar statutory framework as DAkkS. It accredits laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies across regulated and non-regulated sectors and is an EA MLA signatory.
• ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB): ANAB is a US-based accreditation body that accredits management-system certification bodies, testing/calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and personnel certification bodies — structurally identical to DAkkS, and signatory to the same ILAC/IAF MLAs.
• ENAC (Entidad Nacional de Acreditación): ENAC is Spain's national accreditation body, the EA-MLA-signatory counterpart to DAkkS. It accredits testing/calibration/medical laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies against equivalent ISO/IEC standards.
• UK Accreditation Service (UKAS): UKAS is the United Kingdom's national accreditation body, performing the same statutory role as DAkkS — accrediting testing/calibration/medical laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies against ISO/IEC standards, and serving as a signatory to EA, IAF, and ILAC multilateral agreements.

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC incumbent operating testing, inspection, and certification laboratories that rely on DAkkS-type national accreditation. It is a broad incumbent in DAkkS's downstream ecosystem rather than a direct accreditation competitor.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a major German-headquartered testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) incumbent that interacts with — but is structurally distinct from — DAkkS. Its accredited conformity assessment services depend on accreditation bodies like DAkkS, making it a downstream TIC counterpart rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia): NATA is Australia's national accreditation body for laboratories, inspection bodies, and reference-material producers — functionally identical to DAkkS but operating in the APAC region under ILAC/IAF MLA signatory status.
• JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand): JAS-ANZ accredits certification bodies for management systems, products, and persons across Australia and New Zealand under a government-mandated framework — same accreditation scope as DAkkS but geographically distinct.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DAkkS_de
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DAkkS_Original
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dakks

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DAkkS