What DVGW e.V. does

DVGW e.V. (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V.) is a 165-year-old (founded 1859) German non-profit technical-scientific association that operates as the legally designated standards setter for the German gas and water sector. Headquartered in Bonn with a Berlin office, the organization maintains a DVGW-Regelwerk of more than 1,700 technical rules integrated with DIN standards, the B3S WA sector-specific IT security standard approved by BSI, and is statutorily designated as the institution for hydrogen infrastructure under the Energy Industry Act. Its core technology platform, the DVGW-Regelwerk Online service (enhanced with an AI dialogue feature in March 2026), provides digital access to its rulebook corpus and is distributed through the wholly-owned publishing subsidiary wvgw media GmbH.

DVGW operates through nine state groups (Landesgruppen) and 62 district groups (Bezirksgruppen) reaching approximately 14,000 members, primarily gas and water utilities, network operators, and adjacent technical professionals across Germany. The business model combines recurring membership fees, publication and Regelwerk subscription revenue, fees from testing and certification services, and event revenue from the annual DVGW Kongress in Bonn and year-round professional training. Additional revenue streams include research grants (notably the Innovationsprogramm Wasserstoff for hydrogen), IT security training aligned with NIS-2 and KRITIS-Dachgesetz requirements, and B3S WA implementation services, with research activities conducted through operating subsidiaries DVGW-EBI and IWW.

The organization is governed by a Präsidium (Presidential Board) led by President Jörg Höhler and a Vorstand chaired by Prof. Dr. Gerald Linke (confirmed for another five-year term in 2023), with active international engagement across CEN, ISO, IGU, IWA, and peer national associations in Europe, North America, and Asia. Certification achievements include DIN ISO/IEC 27001 (December 2025) and DIN EN ISO 9001 (December 2025). The Junger DVGW youth program, DVGW-Studienpreis, and mentoring initiatives address workforce renewal in the gas and water sector.

Name

DVGW e.V.

Legal name

Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V.

Website

https://dvgw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1859

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DVGW e.V. is Germany's 165-year-old non-profit technical-scientific association and designated standards setter for the gas and water sector, serving approximately 14,000 members through 1,700+ technical rules, certification services, the B3S WA IT security standard, and the statutory role for hydrogen infrastructure under the Energy Industry Act.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technical Standards and Industry Association Services for Gas and Water Utilities

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

International Standards Development & Standardization Bodies (BPADANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Building Compliance Testing & Certification (Backflow, RPZ, Cross-Connection) (BPABAHAK), Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)

Keywords

• Gas and water standards
• Technical rulebook services
• Utility certification services
• Industry professional association
• Critical infrastructure compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees providing access to technical rules, publications, discounted services, professional events, and networking opportunities in the gas and water sector.
2. Publications and Rule Book Sales: Sale of technical publications, rules, and standards through wvgw media GmbH subsidiary, including the DVGW-Regelwerk subscription service.
3. Events and Conferences: Revenue from the annual DVGW Kongress and specialized training events, seminars, and professional education programs.
4. Certification and Testing Services: Fees for testing, certification, and inspection services for gas and water equipment and systems.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DVGW e.V. develops, maintains and distributes the DVGW-Regelwerk, a comprehensive library of more than 1,700 technical rules and DIN standards covering the safety, quality and operational requirements of gas and water infrastructure in Germany. The association complements the rulebook with testing and certification services, professional education and vocational training (including the annual DVGW Kongress), research and innovation programs (including the DVGW Innovationsprogramm Wasserstoff), and the B3S WA IT security standard for water/wastewater utilities, all delivered through direct membership, the wvgw media GmbH publishing subsidiary, and regional Landesgruppen/Bezirksgruppen.

Product overview

DVGW e.V. (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V.) operates as Germany's technical-scientific association and standards-setting organization for the gas and water sector. The core offering is the DVGW-Regelwerk Online platform (enhanced with AI dialogue capability in March 2026), which provides access to DVGW technical rules and DIN standards. Supporting services include research and development (including the DVGW Innovationsprogramm Wasserstoff), testing and certification, professional education and events (via DVGW-Veranstaltungen), technical information including publications and the Wissensfunk podcast, IT security standards (B3S WA Edition 2023), safety and quality management, and technical consulting. The organization runs the annual DVGW Kongress in Bonn and maintains the Junger DVGW youth program with associated mentoring and study prize offerings. All DVGW-Regelwerk products are distributed through the subsidiary wvgw media GmbH.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Junger DVGW: Youth organization of DVGW for members under 36 years, promoting professional exchange and networking in the energy and water sector
• DVGW Kongress
• DVGW-Regelwerk Online
• wvgw media GmbH
• DVGW-Projektförderprogramm Wasser 2035

Products and services

• DVGW-Regelwerk Online (mit KI-Dialog) Online platform providing access to the DVGW technical rulebook and DIN standards for the gas and water sector, enhanced with an AI dialogue (KI-Dialog) capability for natural-language knowledge retrieval.
• DVGW-Regelwerk (Technische Regeln und DIN-Normen) The DVGW technical rulebook consisting of DVGW rules and DIN standards that form the foundation for professionals working in gas and water sectors.
• Forschung und Entwicklung (DVGW Innovationsprogramm Wasserstoff) DVGW-initiated and industry-related research projects and innovation programs in the gas and water sector, including the DVGW Innovationsprogramm Wasserstoff.
• Prüfung und Zertifizierung Testing and certification services for products, systems and personnel in the gas and water industry.
• Berufsbildung und Qualifikation (DVGW-Veranstaltungen) Professional education, qualification programs and events including congresses, conferences and vocational training for the gas and water industry.
• B3S WA - Branchenstandard IT-Sicherheit Wasser/Abwasser (Edition 2023) Industry-specific IT security standard for water/wastewater utilities (Edition 2023), comprising DVGW W 1060 and the B3S WA security compendium (web application), confirmed suitable by BSI.
• Sicherheits- und Qualitätsmanagement Safety and quality management services for the gas and water sector, including technical safety consulting.
• DVGW Kongress 2026 Annual DVGW Congress (30 September – 1 October 2026 in Bonn), the leading conference for the energy and water industry in Germany.
• Fachinformation und Wissenstransfer (RegelwerkNews, Wissensfunk Podcast) Technical information services including publications, the RegelwerkNews newsletter and the Wissensfunk podcast covering gas, water and energy topics.
• SHAPTH - Schnittstellenharmonisierung und Austauschplattform Trinkwasserhygiene Federal-level exchange platform for drinking water hygiene, achieving its next milestone with the release of XWasser Version V1.0.0.
• wvgw media GmbH - Verlag und Vertrieb des DVGW-Regelwerks Wholly-owned publishing subsidiary of DVGW distributing the DVGW-Regelwerk and related technical publications to members and third parties.

Quantifiable outcome

• DVGW-Studienpreis awards 12,000 EUR to outstanding theses in gas and water sector
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CEN (European Committee for Standardization)coreTechnology or IntegrationDVGW participates in European standards development through CEN, contributing to harmonized technical standards across the EU gas and water sector.
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization)coreTechnology or IntegrationDVGW engages in international standardization through ISO, influencing global technical standards for gas and water infrastructure.
• DIN Deutsches Institut für NormungcoreTechnology or IntegrationDVGW collaborates with DIN on German national standards, including the DIN-Normenausschuss Gastechnik (NAGas) for gas technology standards.
• IGU (International Gas Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGW is the German full member of IGU, participating in international gas industry research and policy development.
• IWA (International Water Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGW is the German full member of IWA, engaging in international water sector collaboration and research.
• EurEau (European Association of National Water and Wastewater Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGW participates in EurEau, representing the water sector at EU level in Brussels.
• EASEE-gas (European Association for Energy and Environment Gas)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEASEE-gas develops and disseminates Common Business Practices (CBPs) for the European gas industry, with DVGW participation.
• CEOCOR (European Committee for the Study of Corrosion and Protection of Pipes)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGW is the German full member of CEOCOR, working on corrosion protection standards for pipe systems.
• MARCOCAZ (European Gas Industry Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical association of European gas industry working on gas technology standards and practices.
• ERIG (European Research Institute for Gas and Energy Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation network founded June 2015 for European gas and energy research collaboration, with DVGW membership.
• Hydrogen Europe ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGW is member of the European hydrogen and fuel cell industry and research association.
• Water EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean water initiative launched 2004 by European Commission to enhance water sector competitiveness through cooperation.
• DWA (Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of B3S WA IT security standard with DVGW, combining water and wastewater sector expertise.
• UP KRITIS (Public-Private Partnership for Critical Infrastructure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVGW participates in the BAK Wasser/Abwasser and BAK Gas working groups, contributing to IT security standards for critical infrastructure.
• KIWAmajorTechnology or IntegrationDutch certification and testing organization for water and gas equipment, international partnership.
• SVGW (Schweizerischer Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss gas and water association, similar role to DVGW, international cooperation partner.
• ÖVGW (Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian gas and water association, regional cooperation partner in DACH region.
• American Gas Association (AGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS gas industry association, international collaboration on gas technology and safety standards.
• American Water Works Association (AWWA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS water industry association, international water sector best practices sharing.
• Japan Gas Association (JGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese gas industry association, international cooperation on gas technology.
• Japan Water Works Association (JWWA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese water works association, international water sector collaboration.
• Korean Gas Union (KGU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Korean gas industry association, international cooperation.
• Korean Water and Wastewater Association (KWWA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Korean water and wastewater association, international cooperation.
• Chinese Gas Association (CGA China)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina Gas Association, international cooperation on gas standards.
• ENTSOG (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean gas transmission system operators network, DVGW contributes to European gas infrastructure development.
• GIE (Gas Infrastructure Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean gas infrastructure association, working on gas storage and transportation standards.
• German Water Partnership (GWP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman water industry network promoting German water expertise internationally.
• European Biogas Association (EBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean biogas industry association, DVGW collaborates on renewable gas standards.
• FCH 2 JU (Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU public-private partnership for fuel cells and hydrogen research, DVGW participates in hydrogen infrastructure development.
• GERG (European Gas Research Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean gas research coordination group, DVGW contributes to gas technology research.
• IEA (International Energy Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational energy policy and research organization, DVGW participates in gas sector expertise.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung): Germany's national standards body and a Core DVGW partner; comparable as a German standards developer but operates across all industries rather than gas/water specialization.
• ANSI (American National Standards Institute): US national standards institute coordinating conformity assessment and standards development; comparable to DVGW's standards-setting role in scope of activity, but serving a different geography and a broader industry mandate.

Broad incumbents

• BSI (British Standards Institution): UK-based standards and certification body with a global footprint in testing, certification, and standards across many industries — overlapping with DVGW's certification business but at much larger scale and broader scope.

Regional players

• AWWA (American Water Works Association): US-based international water utility association developing standards, education, and certification for drinking water — directly comparable in scope to DVGW's water-side activities, but serving a different geography.
• JGA (Japan Gas Association): Japanese gas industry association performing comparable standards and safety functions for the Japan gas market, listed as a DVGW international cooperation partner.
• JWWA (Japan Water Works Association): Japan's national water works association with analogous standards, research, and training roles for the Japanese water sector, listed as a DVGW international partner.
• AGA (American Gas Association): US gas industry trade association with parallel gas safety, standards, and policy functions to DVGW's gas-side mandate, operating primarily in the North American market.

Direct peers

• DWA (Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall): Germany's leading association for wastewater and waste management; co-develops the B3S WA IT security standard with DVGW and operates in adjacent water-sector territory with overlapping utility membership.
• SVGW (Schweizerischer Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches): Swiss gas and water technical association performing an essentially identical role to DVGW in Switzerland — developing technical rules, certifications, and training for gas and water utilities. Listed as a DVGW international partner.
• ÖVGW (Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach): Austrian gas and water association with the same standards-setting, certification, and training mandate as DVGW, operating in the DACH region. Confirmed DVGW international cooperation partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dvgw-e-v-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 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 DVGW e.V.