What Certqua.de does

CERTQUA is a Bonn-headquartered, German private limited company (GmbH) founded in 1994 as a certification body for the education, labor market, and vocational training sectors. It is structurally backed by four peak German business associations — BDA, DIHK, ZDH, and the Wuppertaler Kreis — which serve as institutional shareholders and provide privileged channel access to employers, chambers of commerce, crafts, and continuing education providers across Germany.

The company's core product is accredited third-party certification under three frameworks: DIN EN ISO 9001 (quality management), DIN ISO 21001 (educational organizations), and AZAV (Accreditation and Approval Ordinance for Employment Promotion under SGB III). AZAV certification is the gating credential that allows German educational institutions to deliver publicly funded labor market training. CERTQUA operates the CERTQUA Servicecenter digital platform for document, certificate, and invoice management, the AZAV-Scout downstream sales tool for certified institutions, and a self-serve online shop for web-based trainings. It is accredited under ISO 17021 and ISO 17065, and is recognized by DAkkS.

Revenue is generated primarily through professional-services fees on certification audits and surveillance (1,300+ active procedures), supplemented by seminar and training revenue (in-person and online QM, AZAV, AI, and legal topics), web-based training products priced between €79 and €449, and free and paid practice guides that serve as lead generation. Customer concentration is diffuse across more than 1,300 German Bildungsträger operating over 13,000 locations and managing over 40,000 AZAV-approved measures. All operations are confined to Germany. The company employs between 11 and 50 staff and does not publicly disclose revenue.

Name

Certqua.de

Legal name

CERTQUA - Gesellschaft der Deutschen Wirtschaft zur Förderung und Zertifizierung von Qualitätssicherungssystemen in der Beruflichen Bildung GmbH

Website

https://certqua.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CERTQUA is a Bonn-headquartered, ISO 17021/17065-accredited German certification body, founded in 1994 and owned by BDA, DIHK, ZDH, and Wuppertaler Kreis. It certifies educational and labor market training providers under ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and AZAV frameworks, serving over 1,300 German Bildungsträger.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Certification Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education & Training (Teaching/Instructional Design) Certifications (EDAAANAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Legal, Governance, Privacy & Audit Certifications (EDAAANAN)

Keywords

• Accreditation services
• Quality management certification
• Vocational training certification
• ISO certification body
• Compliance training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification and Accreditation Services: Fees charged to educational and training organizations for ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and AZAV certification/accreditation audits, assessments, and ongoing surveillance audits. Revenue is project-based per certification procedure, with over 1,300 active procedures managed.
2. Seminars and Training Programs: Revenue from in-person and online seminars covering QM basics, AZAV accreditation, auditor training, and specialized topics. Pricing varies by format and duration. Also includes workshops, on-demand trainings, and webinars.
3. Web-Based Trainings (WBT): Online self-paced courses sold via the CERTQUA shop. AZAV Maßnahmenzulassung WBT: €399 for CERTQUA customers, €449 for others. Maßnahmenbausteine WBT: €149 for customers, €199 for others. ISO 9001 Revision video: €99. AZAV-Sprechstunde videos: €79 each.
4. Practice Guides (Whitepapers): CERTQUA offers free and paid practice guides (whitepapers) on quality management, ISO 9001, process management, and ISO 9001 revision preparation. These serve as lead generation tools alongside core certification services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CERTQUA is an accredited certification body (ISO 17021 and ISO 17065) that issues ISO 9001, ISO 21001, AZAV (Träger- and Maßnahmenzulassung), and BNE certifications to educational and training organizations in Germany. It supplements these services with a broad training catalog including quality-management seminars, AZAV seminars, AI seminars, web-based trainings (WBTs), and an online shop, all supported by the proprietary CERTQUA Servicecenter digital platform for certification workflow management.

Product overview

CERTQUA is a certification body operated by German business associations (BDA, DIHK, ZDH, and Wuppertaler Kreis) offering accreditation and certification services for educational and labor market organizations. The company's product portfolio consists of three main certification services (ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and AZAV certifications), supported by a digital platform (CERTQUA Service Center) for certification management. Training and seminar offerings include quality management seminars (QM-Seminare), AZAV seminars, AI seminars (KI-Seminare), and web-based training (WBT) programs for measure approval under AZAV. Additional digital tools include AZAV-Scout for sales support and BNE certification for sustainable development in education. The company also offers custom on-request seminars covering topics such as remote audits, agile quality management, risk management, data protection, and professional development for educational executives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AZAV-Zertifizierung (Träger- und Maßnahmenzulassung) Accredited certification and approval service for educational institutions under the Akkreditierungs- und Zulassungsverordnung Arbeitsförderung (AZAV), enabling providers to deliver publicly funded training measures and labor-market services under SGB III. CERTQUA acts as a fachkundige Stelle (expert body) for both Trägerzulassung and Maßnahmenzulassung.
• DIN EN ISO 9001 Zertifizierung International quality management system certification under DIN EN ISO 9001, providing educational organizations with objective proof of consistent product/service quality to clients, participants, and partners. Includes initial certification audits and ongoing surveillance audits.
• DIN ISO 21001 Zertifizierung Education-specific management system certification under DIN ISO 21001:2020, providing requirements for organizations providing educational products and services and enabling optimization of learning outcomes and accessibility for learners.
• BNE-Zertifizierung (Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung) Sustainability certification for educational institutions aligned with the BNE standard and UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals, offered in coupling with ISO/AZAV procedures to save time and cost for customers.
• CERTQUA Servicecenter Platform Digital all-in-one platform for certification/accreditation management. Enables customers to submit certification applications, manage documentation, assign permissions, use digital certificate management, view and assign certification documents within their organization, submit change requests, and use digital invoice management.
• AZAV-Scout Sales-support platform for AZAV-certified educational institutions to assist their marketing and sales of accredited training measures to labor-market buyers.
• QM-Seminare (Quality Management Seminars) Seminar offerings covering quality-management basics, including dedicated courses for Quality Management Representatives (QMB), Quality Managers, and QM-Fachauditor (QM Specialist Auditor) roles in educational management. Topics include internal audit execution and ISO 9001 Revision 2025/2026 preparation.
• AZAV-Seminare Seminar portfolio covering AZAV requirements and procedures, including training for Authorized Representatives for provider and measure approval, current developments in SGB II and SGB III, and integration of AZAV with quality management. The dedicated AZAV-Woche (AZAV Week) consolidates offerings.
• KI-Seminare (AI Seminars) Artificial-intelligence seminar series for education-sector professionals covering ChatGPT as an instrument in quality management (KI_im_QM), AI-based education marketing (Bildungsmarketing mit KI), AI and labor law (Arbeitsrecht und KI), and the AI Regulation (QM und KI-Verordnung).
• WBT-Maßnahmenzulassung nach AZAV Self-paced 8-hour web-based training providing comprehensive introduction to AZAV measure approval across eight chapters (introduction, terminology, §45 SGB III, §81 SGB III, B-DKS, calculation, approval process, and application process). Priced at €399 (CERTQUA customers) / €449 (non-customers) excl. VAT, with 4 weeks of personalized access and a participation certificate.
• WBT-Maßnahmenbausteine nach AZAV Interactive web-based training covering AZAV measure modules (Maßnahmenbausteine), including activating professional integration and vocational training/partial qualification measures. Priced at €149 (CERTQUA customers) / €199 (non-customers) excl. VAT.
• AZAV-Sprechstunde Video Series Series of four pre-recorded online discussion videos providing practical tips and updates on AZAV measure approval topics, including communication concepts, module measures, B-DKS, and AZAV advisory board recommendations. Each video priced at €79 excl. VAT.
• Online Video: ISO 9001 Revision 2025/2026 37-minute video course covering potential changes in the ISO 9001 Revision 2025/2026, including risk-management expansion, harmonization with other standards, technological developments and digitalization, and sustainability requirements. Priced at €99 excl. VAT with 1-month access.
• Weiterbildungen für Fach- und Führungskräfte (Professional Development Courses) Professional-development seminars for specialists and executives in educational institutions, covering key quality figures, knowledge management, dynamic QM systems, BNE orientation seminars, and legal topics (freelance vs. sham self-employment, discrimination, flexible work environments, homeoffice labor law).
• Seminare auf Anfrage (Custom Seminars on Request) Customizable on-request seminar portfolio covering online coaching, online moderation, blended counseling, training on remote audits for educational institutions, agile QM for Bildungsträger, risk and opportunity management, communication competencies for internal auditors, DIN ISO 21001:2020 training, and QM conflict management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,300 certification/accreditation procedures managed
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BDA — Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen ArbeitgeberverbändecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994BDA is a core founding shareholder of CERTQUA. It represents employer interests in social policy at national, European, and international levels, and is involved in education and labor market policy. BDA's network provides CERTQUA with direct access to German employer organizations and businesses.
• DIHK — Deutsche Industrie- und HandelskammercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994DIHK (German Chamber of Industry and Commerce) is a core founding shareholder of CERTQUA. As the umbrella organization for German chambers of commerce, it represents the interests of German business toward federal policymakers and European institutions, providing CERTQUA with broad reach into German industry and commerce.
• ZDH — Zentralverband des Deutschen HandwerkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994ZDH (Central Association of German Crafts) is a core founding shareholder of CERTQUA. It represents 53 crafts chambers, 37 central trade associations, and key economic/scientific institutions of German crafts, providing CERTQUA with access to the skilled trades and crafts sector.
• Wuppertaler Kreis e.V. — Bundesverband betriebliche WeiterbildungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Wuppertaler Kreis is the umbrella association of economy-related continuing education institutions and a core founding shareholder of CERTQUA. With 50 member organizations generating €1.3 billion in annual revenue, employing 11,800 staff and 30,000 freelance trainers, the Wuppertaler Kreis provides CERTQUA with direct access to the primary target market of vocational training providers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DQS (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Zertifizierung von Managementsystemen): A leading German management systems certification body offering ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and adjacent standards. Directly competes with CERTQUA in management system certification for educational organizations and offers overlapping accreditation services.
• GUTcert: German certification body accredited under ISO 17021/17065 with a comparable focus on education, sustainability, and management systems. Directly competes with CERTQUA in ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and AZAV adjacent certification for educational and non-profit organizations.
• ZWH (Zentralstelle für die Weiterbildung im Handwerk): Central office for continuing education in the German crafts sector, also acting as a fachkundige Stelle for AZAV approvals. Directly comparable as another AZAV accreditation body serving the educational and training provider market.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Nord: German technical inspection and certification body with a broad service portfolio including ISO management system certifications. Provides overlapping certification services to educational organizations but does not specialize in the AZAV/labor market niche.
• TÜV SÜD: Global certification, testing, and training provider offering ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and management system certification. Overlaps with CERTQUA's certification portfolio but serves a much broader set of industries beyond education.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company offering ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and other management system certifications. Competes with CERTQUA in the broader certification market but lacks CERTQUA's specific AZAV accreditation focus.
• DEKRA: Large global testing, inspection, and certification organization. Provides ISO 9001 and quality management certification services that overlap with CERTQUA's offerings, though DEKRA's portfolio is broader and less focused on education/labor market specialization.
• TÜV Rheinland: One of the largest global certification bodies, offering ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and various management system certifications. Competes broadly with CERTQUA in management system certification for educational and training organizations, though it is not a specialist in AZAV.

Emerging players

• DGQ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität): German quality management organization offering training, certification, and consulting services with overlap to CERTQUA's QM seminar and auditor training offerings. Compares as a content/training-focused peer in the quality management space.
• CertEurop: German certification body offering ISO 9001, ISO 21001, and AZAV accreditation services to educational institutions. Directly comparable to CERTQUA as a specialist certification body in the German education and labor market space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/certqua
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Certqua-GmbH/138342869637465
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/certqua-gmbh

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Certqua.de