Review of the QI Digital Forum 2024 - Press release

Presentations, discussion panels, demonstrators, posters and the well-stocked marketplace showed the enormous potential of the smart tools and processes that have already been finalised by the initiative. Numerous other tools are currently under development. Considerable research and development work will be required in the coming years and decades. These digital innovations will contribute to greater transparency and security and noticeably less bureaucracy for business and administration.

The event, which took place at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin, focussed on key future topics on the German and European political agenda: AI Act, Digital Product Passport (DPP) and European data spaces. These topics are of crucial importance for the future of quality infrastructure (QI) and its digitalisation. A recent study by Fraunhofer ISI led by Prof. Dr Knut Blind illustrates the economic relevance: without a strong QI, Germany's gross domestic product would shrink by 7.8% - that would be 320 billion euros in 2023. QI is therefore not only an economic factor, but also a major lever for innovation and competitiveness. At the same time, the digital tools developed in the initiative offer considerable savings potential for the economy and consumers. Digital transformation, standardised processes and innovative solutions can increase efficiency and strengthen trust in the economy.

The event was organised by central institutions of the German QI: BAM, DAkkS, DIN, DKE and PTB, which together form the QI-Digital initiative. In the prominent panel discussion on the first evening, there was a consensus among the assembled scientists, industry and association representatives that the research and development work carried out by the initiative must be continued. The complex digital tools and processes that are being developed here require a secure long-term development perspective.

The programme of the QI Digital Forum

Over two days, high-calibre speakers such as Silke Obst (EU Commission, DG Grow), Markus Reigl (Siemens AG), Sandra Drechsler (VDMA), Kilian Groß (EU Commission, DG Connect), Reinhold Achatz (President of IDSA / International Data Spaces Association), Javier Arias (President of the Metrology Association for North and South America SIM), Dr. Patrick Gilroy (TÜV), Prof. Dr Thomas Knothe (Fraunhofer IPK), Dr Peter Ulbig (Mess- und Eichwesen Niedersachsen / MEN) Dr Ulrich Harmes-Liedtke, Johanna Graf (germanwatch) and Dr Anke Skopec (Berlin Institute for Innovation Research) discussed the urgent issues surrounding the digitalisation of QI.

Markus Reigl (Siemens AG) summarised the discussions by stating: "There is simply no alternative to digital QI!

The event was moderated by Robert Skuppin (RBB), who was as charming as he was quick-witted.

Numerous exhibitors presented their innovative solutions for modern QI on the BAM premises. Internationally recognised pilot projects such as the eAttestation, a combination of the tools of the Digital Calibration Certificate (DCC) and digital proof of conformity with the Digital Accreditation Symbol, or the preliminary work on a data infrastructure for quality-relevant data (Quality-X) show important steps towards a strong digital ecosystem for a modern "Made in Germany".

Another highlight of the forum was the opening of BAM's new showroom for methods and processes relating to additive manufacturing (3D printing), which was very well received.
According to UNIDO's "Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index" (QI4SD), Germany (still) tops the list when it comes to the sustainability and reliability of national QI. However, analogue competence does not automatically correspond to digital competence, according to the assessment in the discussion rounds. After all, the digital transformation of QI has only just begun. Other nations are now moving in similar directions with the support of their governments. Those who now decisively shape the emerging structures of digital QI internationally will form an essential basis for future global paperless world trade.

Presentations, demonstrators, posters, showroom and marketplace impressively showed that digitalised QI is the basis for efficient quality assurance and trustworthy verification, which will be indispensable in future for Industry 4.0 and for the DPP for the sustainability assessment of products and services along the entire supply chain.

In his closing remarks, Prof Ulrich Panne, President of BAM, thanked the participants and speakers for their dedicated participation. Prof Frank Härtig, Vice President of PTB, invited participants to the next QI Digital Forum at PTB in Berlin in 2025 (8 - 9 October 2025).

Background: Quality infrastructure and QI-Digital

QI-Digital is a joint initiative of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS), the German Institute for Standardisation (DIN), the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (DKE) and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).

Together with partners from industry, the conformity assessment sector and science, the five institutions are developing practical solutions for modern, agile and digital QI. The aim is to digitalise established quality assurance structures and processes in order to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the German economy. The initiative is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).

Initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.

Download the press release here!

The first short clip is available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch In the next few days you will also find the recordings of the Forum stage programme on our YouTube channel.

You can always find the latest information about our QI-Digital initiative on our LinkedIn account.

Further information on the QI-Digital initiative can be found on our website www.qi-digital.de. There we also provide you with a summary of the forum as a graphic recording.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions:

QI-Digital Office c/o Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig (Germany)

E-mail: info(at)qi-digital.de