GZQ

What GZQ does

GZQ GmbH is a privately held German certification body (GmbH) headquartered in Saarbrücken, Saarbrücken, Saarland, operating as a DAkkS-accredited certifier since its founding in 1998. The company delivers third-party certification and auditing services for management systems and regulatory compliance, covering ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environmental), ISO 50001 (energy), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), AZAV (labor market services under SGB III), EfbV (waste management companies under the German Disposal Specialist Companies Ordinance), AltfahrzeugV (end-of-life vehicles), ElektroG (electrical equipment), and End of Waste quality management under EU Regulations 333/2011 and 715/2013 for scrap materials. Beyond DAkkS accreditation, GZQ holds Technical Monitoring Organization (TÜO) authorization from the Saarland state authority for EfbV and operates under an independent supervisory committee (Lenkungsausschuss) drawn from industry and science to preserve impartiality, which is a regulatory requirement for certification bodies.

The business is a professional services firm with a sales-led, direct go-to-market. Engagement is initiated via downloadable application forms on gzq.de, quote-based pricing that varies by certification type, company size, number of sites, and scope, and on-site audits conducted at client locations across Germany and Europe. The customer base spans small and medium enterprises through large multi-site corporations, with end markets concentrated in manufacturing and industrial companies, waste management and disposal, education and training providers, and a long tail of service-sector clients. Revenue is project-based and tied to multi-year surveillance and recertification cycles, with named dedicated auditors and project managers assigned per standard.

GZQ is led by sole managing director Thomas Scherer, with two Prokuristen heads of division (Martin Busch for Management Systems Certification and Anja Weiser for AZAV) and a senior team of qualified auditors holding Dipl.-Ing. credentials. Firmographics indicate 6 employees, while other inputs cite approximately 30 staff including auditors, project managers, quality management, IT, accounting and HR functions; this discrepancy is unresolved in the source material. The company has no subsidiaries, no parent, no disclosed funding rounds, and no public listing. Geographic footprint is Germany and Europe, with no claimed global presence.

Name

GZQ

Legal name

GZQ GmbH

Website

https://gzq.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GZQ GmbH is a DAkkS-accredited German certification body in Saarbrücken that audits and certifies SMEs to large enterprises across Germany and Europe against ISO 9001, 14001, 50001, 45001, AZAV, EfbV, AltfahrzeugV, ElektroG, and End of Waste standards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Systems Certification

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Certified Compliance & Reporting Services (R2/e-Stewards, Audit, ESG) (BPALAIAL)

Keywords

• ISO certification services
• Management system audits
• Accredited certification body
• Quality management certification
• Environmental compliance audits

Headquarters

HQ city

Saarbrücken

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Certification Services: GZQ generates revenue through certification and auditing services for various management system standards and regulations. Services include initial certification, surveillance audits, and recertification for ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 50001 (Energy Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), AZAV (Labor Market Services), EfbV (Disposal Specialist Companies), AltfahrzeugV (End-of-Life Vehicles), ElektroG (Electrical Equipment), and End of Waste certifications. Revenue is project-based and quote-driven, with pricing based on scope, number of locations, and complexity of certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

GZQ GmbH is a DAkkS-accredited certification body that conducts third-party audits and issues certificates for management systems (ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environmental, ISO 50001 Energy, ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety), labor market service providers (AZAV), and waste management operators (EfbV, AltfahrzeugV, ElektroG, End of Waste). Services are delivered as initial certification, surveillance audits, and recertification by in-house auditors conducting on-site assessments at client locations.

Product overview

GZQ GmbH is a DAkkS-accredited certification body offering a comprehensive portfolio of certification services for management systems and regulatory compliance. The service portfolio centers on ISO management system standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001) delivered as core certification offerings, supplemented by specialized certifications including AZAV for labor market services, EfbV for waste management companies, AltfahrzeugV for end-of-life vehicles, ElektroG for electrical equipment, and End of Waste certifications under EU regulations. These certification services enable companies across various industries to demonstrate compliance with international standards and German regulations, with offerings available for both single-standort and multi-location certification needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISO 9001 Certification Third-party certification of quality management systems against the ISO 9001 international standard, applicable across all industries for both small and large organizations. Combines well with ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and ISO 45001 for integrated management systems.
• ISO 14001 Certification Certification of environmental management systems per ISO 14001, supporting preventive environmental protection through systematic implementation of relevant regulations and organizational structures.
• ISO 50001 Certification Certification of energy management systems against ISO 50001, providing a systematic approach to continuously improve energy-related performance and achieve cost reductions through optimized energy use.
• ISO 45001 Certification Certification of occupational health and safety management systems per ISO 45001, helping organizations improve workplace safety and efficiently comply with legal occupational health requirements.
• AZAV Certification Accreditation and certification of education providers and labor market measures under AZAV (Akkreditierungs- und Zulassungsverordnung Arbeitsförderung), ensuring the quality of labor market services and supporting integration opportunities for job seekers.
• EfbV Certification Certification of waste management companies per the Entsorgungsfachbetriebeverordnung (EfbV), providing evidence of high qualification and reliability standards in waste disposal; conducted as an authorized Technical Monitoring Organization (TÜO).
• AltfahrzeugV Certification Certification of end-of-life vehicle treatment facilities per the Altfahrzeugverordnung (AltfahrzeugV), verifying compliance with recycling quotas and proper disposal procedures for end-of-life vehicles.
• ElektroG Certification Certification of electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers and importers per the Elektro- und Elektronikgeräte-Gesetz (ElektroG), covering registration, take-back, and proper recycling of electronic devices.
• End of Waste Certification Certification of quality management systems per EU Regulations 333/2011 and 715/2013, Article 6, determining when waste ceases to be waste for iron, steel, aluminum, and copper scrap (End of Waste status).

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DAkkS Deutsche AkkreditierungsstellecoreOthersDAkkS is the national accreditation body for Germany. GZQ holds multiple accreditations from DAkkS for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 45001, AZAV, and End of Waste certifications. DAkkS accreditation ensures international recognition and credibility of GZQ's certifications.
• Landesamt für Umwelt- und Arbeitsschutz des SaarlandescoreOthersState authority in Saarland that authorized GZQ as a Technical Monitoring Organization (TÜO) for certification according to the Disposal Specialist Companies Ordinance (EfbV). This authorization enables GZQ to conduct certifications for waste management companies.
• Lenkungsausschuss (Independent Supervisory Committee)minorOthersIndependent supervisory committee consisting of representatives from industry and science that oversees GZQ's operations to ensure impartiality and quality standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland: TÜV Rheinland is a Cologne-headquartered global TIC incumbent active across ISO system certification, product testing, and inspection. It overlaps with GZQ on ISO 9001/14001/45001/50001 but serves enterprise customers worldwide with broader service breadth.
• SGS: SGS is a Geneva-based global TIC leader offering ISO system certifications, product testing, and inspection. It directly overlaps with GZQ's ISO portfolio while operating at vastly larger scale with international geographic reach.
• DEKRA: DEKRA is a Stuttgart-based global TIC company offering ISO management system certification alongside vehicle inspection, product testing, and auditing services. It directly competes with GZQ in ISO certifications while operating at substantially larger scale.
• Intertek: Intertek is a London-headquartered global TIC provider active in ISO management system certifications, product testing, and assurance. It competes with GZQ on management system certifications for multinational clients.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a major global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) incumbent headquartered in Munich. It competes directly with GZQ across ISO management system certifications but offers a far broader portfolio including product testing, industrial inspection, and global reach.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a Paris-headquartered global TIC incumbent offering ISO management system certification, supply chain audits, and ESG assurance. It competes with GZQ in management system certifications while serving a global enterprise client base.

Direct peers

• DQS GmbH: DQS is a Frankfurt-based DAkkS-accredited certification body offering ISO management system certifications (9001, 14001, 45001, 50001) and sector-specific schemes. It is the closest direct comparable to GZQ in size, accreditation portfolio, and German Mittelstand customer base.
• GUTcert (AFNOR Group): GUTcert is a Berlin-based certification body accredited by DAkkS for ISO management systems and environmental/energy schemes. It is comparable to GZQ as a mid-size German certifier focused on sustainability, energy, and management system certifications.
• ICG Ingenieur-Cert GmbH: ICG is a smaller German certification body offering management system certifications and sector-specific schemes. It is comparable to GZQ as a sub-scale German ISO certifier targeting similar SME and mid-market customers.

Regional players

• Quality Austria: Quality Austria is a Vienna-based certification body offering ISO management system certifications and training. It is comparable to GZQ in service mix but operates primarily in the Austrian/DACH region rather than competing directly in Germany.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gzq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 GZQ