Prüfställen

Prüfstätten, plural of Prüfstelle, are testing facilities or inspection bodies authorized to perform tests, inspections and verifications to ensure compliance with technical, safety, and environmental standards. They can be independent laboratories, part of a manufacturer’s quality system, or public regulatory agencies. Many Prüfstätten are accredited by national or international bodies, such as DAkkS in Germany, to demonstrate competence and impartiality.

The scope of Prüfstätten spans multiple sectors. In industry, they conduct material and product testing, non-destructive testing, durability and performance assessments, and factory acceptance tests. In the automotive and aerospace fields, they perform type approvals, component inspections, and conformity assessments. Electrical and electronic equipment testing, EMC and safety evaluations, and energy efficiency measurements are other common activities. Prüfstätten also handle construction-related inspections, environmental testing, and calibration services, often issuing test reports or certificates that support regulatory compliance and market access.

Process and quality standards are central to their work. Procedures are defined to ensure traceability of measurements and repeatability of tests. Equipment is regularly calibrated, and personnel typically hold specialized qualifications. Laboratories and inspection bodies may be accredited to standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories or ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection bodies, and their reports or certificates may be required by law, customers, or insurers.

Regulatory context varies by jurisdiction. In the European Union, many Prüfstätten function as conformity assessment bodies under directives and may be notified for specific programs. In practice, they provide the independent verification that products, systems, or installations meet applicable requirements. Notable examples of organizations operating Prüfstätten include TÜV, DEKRA, and SGS, among others.