It’s easy to buy a new washing machine. But it takes some time to find out whether the product you’ve purchased actually delivers on its promises. Many consumers are familiar with this problem, and three out of four Germans regularly seek advice from Stiftung Warentest. Founded by the federal government in 1964, the organization provides impartial consumer information and is therefore highly regarded. In particular, its test ratings are often used as the basis for purchasing decisions. To ensure that cooperation between industry and testers runs as smoothly as possible, the Stiftung Warentest Clearinghouse within the BDI coordinates, facilitates, and mediates between industry, its associations, and Stiftung Warentest.

After the test is before the test …

The Clearinghouse cannot prevent poor test results. What’s important for companies is good advice, and that’s what they get here. Because once a test result is made public, the best course of action is to initiate a dialogue with Stiftung Warentest and learn the background of the investigation.

Innovation as a shared goal?

The tests are by no means conducted arbitrarily. Product lines are determined in collaboration with the industry, and any potential issues are discussed. Ultimately, the goal of both the industry and Stiftung Warentest is the same: to improve products and drive innovation.

How exactly is industry represented within Stiftung Warentest?

The BDI and its representatives participate at various levels within Stiftung Warentest: on the Board of Trustees, which advises the Executive Board and the Administrative Board on all fundamental issues related to fulfilling the foundation’s purpose, and on the expert advisory boards, which specifically deliberate on the preliminary testing program. According to its bylaws, the establishment of a technical advisory board is required for every comparative study conducted by Stiftung Warentest. The board is generally composed of equal numbers of representatives from consumers and suppliers, as well as independent experts. In its Practical Tip No. 1, the BDI Clearinghouse for Stiftung Warentest explains how appointed industry experts—that is, those selected by the foundation to serve on a technical advisory board—can help optimize the deliberations taking place there. Further information is provided in the BDI Guide, a compendium for practical work on Stiftung Warentest’s advisory boards.

What to Do in the Event of a Negative Test Result?

While a positive quality rating from Stiftung Warentest can boost sales of goods and services, a poor test result often leads to a decline in sales or even damage to a company’s reputation. Practical Tip No. 2 published by the BDI, outlines options for affected companies on how to respond quickly and effectively to poor quality ratings from Stiftung Warentest.

What are the chances of success for legal action against a test?

For companies affected by tests, the question arises as to what scope for action legal proceedings offer against tests that have, in most cases, already been published. In Practical Tip No. 3, the BDI provides information on previous case law related to the work of Stiftung Warentest and explains under what circumstances legal action appears to be successful or futile.

How can companies help optimize test design?

Practical Tip No. 4 outlines ways in which companies affected by tests can contribute their factual and technical expertise early on in the consultation phase of test projects and thereby help optimize the test design.

How are the expert advisory boards composed?

Like every group represented on the Board of Trustees of Stiftung Warentest, the BDI is permitted to nominate experts for the advisory boards and has exercised this right approximately 26,000 times since the foundation’s inception. This figure clearly demonstrates the industry’s strong interest in constructive dialogue with the foundation for the benefit of consumers. While another practical tip is aimed at experts who have already been appointed, Practical Tip No. 5 explains what to keep in mind during the nomination process and the principles and criteria the Foundation uses to select experts for specific testing projects. Here, too, the goal is to contribute to improving test design.