About DVGW

The DVGW has been working for the gas and water industry as an independent and unbiased technical-scientific association since 1859, the objective being to create a basis for the safe and technologically flawless supply of gas and water. The Technical Rules issued by the DVGW form the core of this basis. These rules have been devised by the various DVGW bodies and enjoy quasi-legal status, which at the same time ensures the self-administration of the industry.

The DVGW defined the following prime objectives to be pursued in the practical work of its bodies and committees:

• Safe technology and hygiene
• Economical optimisation of the gas and water supply technology
• Protection of resources and the environment
• Quality assurance, quality control, and quality management

Areas of activity:

• Regulation and Standardisation:

  The practical work in the gas and water branch is based on the technical rules of the DVGW. As a reliable instrument for rules and efficiency measures, regulation offers companies the necessary safety for planning and legal matters, even for the highest authorities. As acknowledged rules for technical matters the regulation of the DVGW is documented in the law for energy economy and the decree for drinking-water. We closely co-operate with DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute for Standardisation) and we are able to influence the creation of European regulations.

• Testing and Certification:

  The approved DVGW method of testing and certification is the DVGW neutral survey of products, companies and persons for their ability to meet the standards in practice. Quality is documented using the acknowledged DVGW certificates at different levels:

  • CE-Number
  • DIN-DVGW certificate
  • DVGW certificate
  • DVGW quality mark
  • DVGW approved company
  • DVGW management systems
  • DVGW experts

   

  At the European level, the DVGW is the largest certification body for gas-related products in accordance with the EC Gas Appliance Directive, the EC Boiler Efficiency Directive and the EC Pressure Equipment Directive.

• Research and Development:

  The research and development-programmes always result from a dialogue between science and economy. With contributions from members and coordination by the science advisory board, problems are being solved quickly, economically and efficiently. In order to support trainees in the gas and water branch, the DVGW has set up a study award the "Award for the German Gas Industry".

• Vocational Training:

  The DVGW vocational training centre of the DVGW offers all members and interested persons an extensive programme for education and further training. A network of DVGW members detects the current training needs in the fields of regulation and standardisation, testing and certification, research and development as well as the changing demands for the companies. Members always receive practice-related knowledge.

  There are three different DVGW offers for training:

  • DVGW Forum: Nation-wide events with up-to-date information from the branch
  • DVGW Job training: Job and further training
  • DVGW Regional: Events organised by the DVGW regional groups
  •  
• Transfer of Information and Know-how:

         We offer different events in the DVGW Forum: fairs, conferences and congresses.

More about DVGW at http://www.dvgw.org/en