Zulassung

Zulassung is a German term that denotes official permission or recognition granted by an authority. It can refer to approval to perform a activity, admission to a process, or registration that confers a right. The word comes from the verb zulassen, meaning to allow or admit, with the noun form Zulassung.

In legal and administrative contexts, Zulassung describes the official authorization required for various activities or products. This includes licensing professionals, approving medical products, and granting access to regulated markets or services. The exact rules and authorities depend on the field and country, and in the European Union some Zulassungen are harmonized at the supranational level.

Vehicle registration is a common use of the term in Germany. The process, carried out at a local Zulassungsstelle (registration office), entails presenting proof of ownership, identity, insurance, and, if applicable, proof of conformity or roadworthiness. After successful processing, the vehicle receives license plates and is entered into the vehicle register. Ongoing requirements may include periodic inspections (TÜV/HU).

Medicines and medical devices are another major area. In Germany and the EU, the term Zulassung refers to marketing authorization to place a product on the market. This involves regulatory assessments of quality, safety, and efficacy. In the EU, marketing authorizations can be granted at the national level or via centralized procedures through EMA, depending on the product.

Education and admission to study programs also use Zulassung. Hochschulen issue Zulassungen to prospective students, determining eligibility for a degree program, often in combination with numerus clausus or other selection criteria. Immatrikulation (enrollment) follows upon successful Zulassung.