DGK-Angewandte und Wissenschaftliche Kosmetik

What DGK-Angewandte und Wissenschaftliche Kosmetik does

DGK-Angewandte und Wissenschaftliche Kosmetik (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wissenschaftliche und Angewandte Kosmetik e.V., or DGK e.V.) is a non-profit scientific society founded in 1957 and headquartered in Thannhausen, Bavaria. It operates as an independent professional association dedicated to cosmetic science research, standardization, and continuing education in the German-speaking market. DGK maintains 774 members across nine specialist groups (Fachgruppen) covering analytics, exposom, galenics, hair treatment, skin cleansing, microbiology and operational hygiene, and sun protection, plus time-limited interest groups (Interessengruppen) on topics such as sustainability, tattoo care, and peroxide value. Members include scientists, dermatologists, raw material suppliers, testing laboratories, and cosmetics manufacturers, with automatic inclusion in the IFSCC providing international reach.

The society's core outputs are scientific rather than commercial: standardized inter-laboratory ring trials (DGK Ringversuch) under DIN EN ISO 17025 for physicochemical testing of cosmetic products, the large-scale ALT SPF consortium ring trial evaluating alternative SPF/UVA-PF methods against ISO 24444 and 24443, the open-access bilingual Anti-Pollution Matrix, peer-reviewed publications in IFSCC Magazine and the SÖFW Journal, and two recognized professional certifications — DGK-Kosmetikexperte and the jointly delivered DGK/IKW Safety Assessor (DGK-Sicherheitsbewerter). It also runs the biennial International Hair-Science Symposium (HairS) and expert roundtables, workshops, and webinars through its DGK eVent platform.

DGK's revenue derives from individual membership dues (€50/year standard, €25 students, €20 pensioners), corporate sponsorship membership (Fördermitgliedschaft at €750/year with 19 sponsors including Symrise, Croda, P&G, Evonik, WELEDA, and Schwan Cosmetics), training course and certification fees, and conference/symposium income. Governance is provided by an elected board led by President Dr. Sven Munke. The organization is intentionally positioned as scientifically independent and non-commercial, with strategic partnerships with IKW (safety assessor training), IFSCC (international federation), SEPAWA (industry congresses), and SÖFW Journal (publications).

Name

DGK-Angewandte und Wissenschaftliche Kosmetik

Legal name

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wissenschaftliche und Angewandte Kosmetik e.V.

Website

https://dgk-ev.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Short description

DGK e.V. is a German non-profit scientific society founded in 1957 that delivers independent cosmetic science research, standardized inter-laboratory ring trials, and continuing-education certifications for scientists, dermatologists, industry professionals, and cosmetics practitioners in the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Thannhausen (Burg)

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DGK (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Angewandte und Wissenschaftliche Kosmetik) is a German non-profit scientific association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1957 that conducts cosmetic science research, develops standardization methodologies for the cosmetics industry, and provides continuing education, professional certifications, and conferences. It serves as the professional society connecting cosmetic scientists, researchers, and industry professionals in Germany and beyond.

Product overview

DGK e.V. (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wissenschaftliche und Angewandte Kosmetik) is a professional scientific society for cosmetic science founded in 1957. Rather than a product company, DGK offers a portfolio of professional services including certification programs (DGK-Kosmetik-Experte and DGK-Sicherheitsbewerter qualifications), scientific working groups (Fachgruppen) in areas such as analytics, galenics, hair treatment, skin cleansing, microbiology, and sun protection, the Anti-Pollution Matrix scientific knowledge platform, scientific conferences including the biennial HairS' symposium, and technical publications including ring trial reports and industry handbooks. The society functions as a knowledge platform connecting scientists, industry professionals, and young professionals in the cosmetics field.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Membership Annual membership for individual cosmetic scientists and professionals at €50/year, providing access to the scientific community, publications, and association resources.
• Student Membership Reduced annual membership at €25/year for university students engaged in cosmetic science studies, granting access to educational resources and the professional community.
• Pensioner Membership Reduced annual membership at €20/year for retired cosmetic science professionals, supporting continued community engagement.
• Corporate Sponsorship Annual corporate sponsorship at €750/year for cosmetics manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and personal care companies seeking industry visibility and research alignment.
• Continuing Education and Certification Programs Fee-based training courses, workshops, and professional certification pathways in applied cosmetic science for members and industry participants.
• Scientific Conferences and Events Periodic scientific conferences and events bringing together cosmetic scientists, researchers, and industry representatives for knowledge exchange and networking.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• IKW (Industrieverband Körperpflege- und Waschmittel e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDGK cooperates with IKW on the DGK/IKW Safety Assessor training program (DGK-Sicherheitsbewerter), which provides continuing education for cosmetics safety assessors. This joint program covers courses in general and systemic toxicology, local tolerance, immunology and sensitization, exposure/percutaneous penetration, and carcinogenesis/mutagenesis. The partnership ensures high-quality, current training recognized across the cosmetics industry.
• IFSCC (International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll DGK members are automatically members of the IFSCC, providing access to a global platform of contacts and current information from the cosmetics industry worldwide. DGK participates in IFSCC congresses and publishes in IFSCC Magazine.
• SEPAWA (Verbund aus Seifen, Parfüm- und Waschmittelfachleuten)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerDGK partners with SEPAWA, a leading industry organization in the DACH region, for the SEPAWA Congress and the CSC Cosmetic Science Conference. DGK contributes scientific sessions and programs at these flagship industry events, enhancing visibility and reach.
• SÖFW Journal (Journal for Cosmetic Sciences)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerDGK publishes scientific articles, position papers, and technical reports in the SÖFW Journal (published by Sofw.com), a leading international journal for cosmetic science. DGK expert groups contribute regularly to this publication.
• RAHN GroupminorOthersRAHN Group is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Schwan Cosmetics (Schwan Stabilo)minorOthersSchwan Cosmetics is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Symrise AGminorOthersSymrise AG is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• WELEDA AGminorOthersWELEDA AG is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• worleeminorOthersworlee is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• BAV InstitutminorOthersBAV Institut is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• BelicominorOthersBelico is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Annemarie BörlindminorOthersAnnemarie Börlind is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• C+K (Courage+Khazaka Electronic GmbH)minorOthersC+K is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• CLR (CLR Berlin)minorOthersCLR Berlin is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• CrodaminorOthersCroda is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbHminorOthersEvonik is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Faber-Castell CosmeticsminorOthersFaber-Castell Cosmetics is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• IMCD GroupminorOthersIMCD Group is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Labor geprüftminorOthersLabor geprüft is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Mallia Aesthetics GmbHminorOthersMallia Aesthetics GmbH is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• NetFormula GmbHminorOthersNetFormula GmbH is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.
• Procter & Gamble (P&G)minorOthersProcter & Gamble is listed as a corporate sponsor (Fördermitglied) of DGK, supporting the scientific activities of the society.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC): The global federation of national cosmetic-chemistry societies; DGK's members are auto-enrolled in IFSCC, and it is the umbrella organization for the international congress circuit in which DGK participates.
• Industrieverband Korperpflege- und Waschmittel (IKW): German industry trade association for personal care and detergent products; DGK co-operates with IKW on the Safety Assessor program, and IKW represents manufacturers while DGK represents the independent scientific community.
• Cosmetics Europe: European trade association representing the cosmetics and personal-care industry on regulatory matters — a broader, industry-facing counterpart whose work DGK's science often informs.
• European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI): European association representing cosmetic ingredient suppliers; an adjacent industry platform whose member companies overlap heavily with DGK's corporate sponsors (Symrise, Croda, Evonik, IMCD).

Direct peers

• Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC, USA): The oldest U.S. national scientific society for cosmetic chemists, providing education, continuing education, scientific meetings, and publications — the closest functional analog to DGK outside the DACH region.
• Societe Francaise de Cosmetologie (SFC): French national scientific society for cosmetic science, comparable to DGK in mission (independent scientific exchange, training, conferences) and in scope (industrial + academic cosmetic chemists).
• Society of Cosmetic Scientists (UK): UK-based scientific society for cosmetic science offering education, publications (Cosmetic Science journal) and industry networking — directly comparable member-driven scientific society model.
• SEPAWA e.V. DACH-region professional association for soaps, perfumery and detergents that co-organizes SEPAWA Congress and CSC Cosmetic Science Conference with DGK — adjacent but overlapping scientific/industry community.

Regional players

• Personal Care Products Council (PCPC): U.S. trade association for cosmetics and personal care products; comparable industry-coordination and scientific-publication role but focused on the U.S. market rather than DACH.

Others

• Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Fettwissenschaft (DGF): German scientific society for fat/lipid science, from which the original GKC (DGK's predecessor) emerged in 1957 — a thematic ancestor and adjacent scientific society with overlapping raw-material chemistry interests.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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