What CE-LAB GmbH does

CE-LAB GmbH is a privately held, DAkkS-accredited testing laboratory (D-PL-12133-01-00) operating from Ilmenau, Thuringia, Germany, under DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 quality standards. Founded in 1990 as part of CE-SYS GmbH and registered as an independent entity in 1999, the firm provides electromagnetic compatibility (EMC/EMV) testing, device-safety testing under the German Product Safety Act and EU Low Voltage Directive, high-voltage and energy-technology testing (up to 60 kV AC and 45 kV DC, with surge measurement to 150 kV), lightning and surge-protection testing, climate/environmental simulation, calibration, and KBA-designated automotive EMC type-approval services for vehicle components (Categories A, B, D).

The lab combines in-house high-voltage and EMC measurement infrastructure with on-site testing at customer premises, supported by a team of about six specialist engineers and technicians. Service delivery follows both time-and-materials hourly billing and fixed 10/20/30-hour package engagements, with a 10% discount on contingent bookings and a 25% surcharge for out-of-hours work. Customers — developers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic devices — span automotive (KBA path), medical devices, renewables/photovoltaics, machinery, and information-technology equipment, with named engagements including ViALUX Messtechnik+Bildverarbeitung GmbH, ARMANO Messtechnik GmbH, and Otto Bock Mobility Solutions GmbH.

The company is owned by its two managing directors, Dr.-Ing. Michael Naß and Dipl.-Ing. Jens Schönau, and operates without external investors or parent-company ownership. Go-to-market is enterprise-direct: inbound website inquiries, technical consultation by engineers, on-site testing, plus engagement through industry events, the EMV-Arbeitskreis Thüringen community platform (since 1996), VDE committee work, and ELMUG eG cooperative leadership. Most recent material event was the renewed KBA Technical Service designation on 19 March 2025 following on-site assessment.

Name

CE-LAB GmbH

Legal name

CE-LAB GmbH

Website

https://ce-lab.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CE-LAB GmbH is a DAkkS-accredited testing laboratory in Ilmenau, Germany, providing EMC, device-safety, high-voltage, lightning-protection, and climate testing to electrical/electronic device manufacturers and automotive suppliers under KBA Technical Service designation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Testing and Calibration Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL)

Keywords

• EMC testing services
• Device safety testing
• High voltage testing
• Lightning protection testing
• Accredited calibration laboratory

Headquarters

HQ city

Ilmenau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Testing Services: Core revenue stream from conducting measurements, tests and calibrations to determine conformity according to applicable standards or device specifications. Services include EMV testing, device safety testing, energy/high-voltage testing, lightning protection testing, and climate/environmental simulation. Both partial and complete testing services offered.
2. Consulting and Training: Advisory services on standards and conformity for device safety, CE marking, type approval procedures, and international market entry. Training sessions, workshops, and seminars on EMV, functional safety, and conformity assessment provided.
3. Hourly Packages and Contingents: Fixed hour packages (10, 20, 30 hours) offered with optional 10% discount. Time-based billing or fixed hourly rates according to price lists.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CE-LAB GmbH is an accredited testing laboratory (Prüfzentrum Ilmenau) providing conformity assessment, testing, and calibration services for electrical and electronic devices. Core offerings include EMC/EMV testing, device safety testing under the EU Low Voltage Directive, energy and high-voltage testing (AC up to 60kV, DC up to 45kV, surge up to 150kV), lightning and surge protection testing, climate/environmental simulation, KFZ (automotive) component testing as a KBA-designated Technical Service, and consulting/training on CE marking and standards compliance.

Product overview

CE-LAB GmbH operates as a testing and calibration laboratory offering a comprehensive portfolio of testing services rather than a software product platform. The core offerings center on six interconnected testing disciplines: EMV (electromagnetic compatibility) testing as the primary specialty, device safety testing under the Low Voltage Directive, energy technology and high-voltage testing, climate testing with environmental simulation, lightning and surge protection testing, and calibration services. Additional offerings include consulting, training, and KFZ (automotive) component testing under KBA designation. These services collectively support manufacturers in achieving CE marking and type approvals for their electrical and electronic products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EMV/EMC Testing (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Laboratory EMC testing to determine whether electrical devices function satisfactorily in an electromagnetic environment without unduly influencing other devices. Covers emission and immunity testing according to normative procedures. Targeted at developers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic devices requiring CE conformity.
• Device Safety Testing (Gerätesicherheit) Testing services for device safety in accordance with the German Product Safety Act (ProdSG) and the EU Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), covering insulation resistance, creepage distances, IP protection degrees, and environmental testing. For manufacturers of electrical products requiring safety certification.
• High-Voltage / Energy Technology Testing (Energietechnik) High-voltage testing and evaluation services including AC voltage testing up to 60kV/60kVA, DC voltage testing up to 45kV/6kVA, and surge voltage measurement up to 150kV. For manufacturers of high-current applications and electrical equipment.
• Climate Testing and Environmental Simulation (Klimaprüfung) Climate testing and environmental simulation using a 335L climate chamber covering temperature ranges from -40°C to 180°C and humidity from 10% to 98% RH for long-term environmental tests on components, materials, and devices.
• Lightning and Surge Protection Testing (Blitzschutz) Lightning current testing and impulse voltage investigations for lightning protection components and surge protection devices according to standards EN 62305, EN 62561, and EN 61643. For manufacturers of lightning and surge protection equipment.
• Service – Consulting, Training, and Calibration Consulting and training services on standards and conformity for device safety, CE marking, type approval procedures, measurement uncertainty determination, and international market entry, alongside calibration services for measurement and test equipment (including DKD calibrations via cooperation partners) and on-site calibration. Also includes seminars and workshops on EMV, functional safety, and conformity assessment.
• KFZ Automotive Component Testing (KFZ-Komponentenprüfung) Vehicle component EMC testing as a Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA)-designated Technical Service for Categories A, B, and D under European (e1) and international (E1) regulations. Supports type approval of vehicle components through KBA.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Technische Universität IlmenaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose cooperation with TU Ilmenau for joint research on EMV testing procedures, special measurements, and improvement of measurement uncertainties in EMC testing. Students conduct EMV practicum at CE-LAB facilities. CE-LAB employee held tandem lecture on cooperation between CE-LAB and TU Ilmenau at elmug4future conference 2017.
• ELMUG eG (Elektronische Mess- und Gerätetechnik)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCE-LAB is a founding member of ELMUG eG, established in 2009. The cooperative brings together 31 members and approximately 60 associated partners from industry and science. CE-LAB leads the EMV and Gerätesicherheit (device safety) specialist group.
• VDE Ausschuss für Blitzschutz und Blitzforschung (ABB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCE-LAB has been active in the VDE ABB committee since 2006. The committee brings together experts from science and practice, appraisers, users and manufacturers in lightning and surge protection. CE-LAB is a member of the support association (Förderverein) and represented in the Technical Committee.
• VDE Thüringen – Arbeitskreis BlitzschutzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCE-LAB participates in the VDE Thuringia lightning protection working group, which discusses principles of modern lightning and surge protection.
• TestXchangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCE-LAB is listed in the international testing laboratory database of TestXchange, the world's largest laboratory database.
• Automotive Thüringen e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional automotive industry association providing networking opportunities in Thuringia.
• Technologie Region Ilmenau Arnstadt (TRIA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional technology network in the Ilmenau-Arnstadt area supporting technology companies.
• ZVEI (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCentral Association of Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry - CE-LAB is a member of this industry association.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• phoenix testlab GmbH: DAkkS-accredited German EMC and radio testing laboratory offering similar conformity assessment services for electronics manufacturers. A close peer in scale and specialization to CE-LAB.
• EMC Test NRW GmbH: German EMC testing laboratory specializing in electromagnetic compatibility and product safety testing for regional manufacturers. Most directly comparable niche peer to CE-LAB in size, scope and DACH focus.
• VDE Prüf- und Zertifizierungsinstitut GmbH: The German VDE testing and certification institute operates accredited EMC and product safety laboratories in Germany. Closely aligned with CE-LAB's standards-based testing portfolio and participates in the same VDE committee ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• UL Solutions (UL LLC): Global safety science organization offering EMC, electrical safety and performance testing for electronics manufacturers. Competes for international CE/UL compliance projects that CE-LAB also targets, particularly in automotive and industrial segments.
• TÜV Rheinland LGA Products GmbH: One of the largest TIC providers in Europe with accredited EMC, electrical safety and automotive testing laboratories. Competes for the same German/European manufacturer clients seeking CE marking and type approval support.
• Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services: International TIC company providing EMC, electrical safety and automotive testing across multiple geographies. Targets the same European manufacturer base seeking CE marking and type approval services.
• DEKRA Automobil GmbH: DEKRA is a designated technical service for automotive homologation and offers EMC, product safety and environmental testing. Comparable to CE-LAB's automotive EMC and KBA-related work, but with global reach.
• TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH: Global testing, inspection and certification giant with DAkkS accreditation and extensive EMC, safety and automotive testing capabilities. Direct overlap with CE-LAB's EMC, device safety and KBA-equivalent services but at vastly larger scale and geographic reach.

Others

• IMC Test & Measurement (imc Test & Measurement GmbH): While primarily a measurement equipment manufacturer, imc operates closely with German EMC laboratories and serves overlapping automotive/industrial customers. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Eurofins Product Testing Germany GmbH: Eurofins has expanded its product testing portfolio into EMC and electrical safety for electronics manufacturers, competing for German and EU clients. Represents an emerging player encroaching on traditional TIC lab territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ce-lab-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 CE-LAB GmbH