Associations & organisations

The BTGA (former BHKS) was established in 1898 and hence is one of Germany’s oldest business organizations. As an umbrella organization, it brings together industrially oriented, systems-producing companies with dedicated engineering resources in the field of building services engineering. 

The German Institute for Preventive Fire Protection (DIvB) sees itself as a partner of the public, politics and economy in all questions concerning preventive fire protection in the structural, plant-related and organisational areas. 

The Deutsche Institut für Normung (DIN) is the independent platform for standardisation in Germany and worldwide. Together with industry, science, the public sector and civil society, DIN makes a significant contribution to opening up future fields. As a co-designer of the digital and green transformation, DIN makes an important contribution to solving current challenges and enables new technologies, products and processes to establish themselves on the market and in society.

The VDMA ("Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau" - German Engineering Federation) represents more than 3,200 primarily medium-sized companies in the capital goods industry. The association represents the common economic, technical and scientific interests of the mechanical engineering industry, in particular vis-à-vis national and international authorities and business circles.

IBU was created out of an initiative of manufacturers of construction products who decided to support the demand for more sustainability in the construction sector. The focus is on convincing everyone that sustainability is the right choice.

Since 1970, the year in which the FGK Trade Association for Building Air Conditioning was established (Fachinstitut Gebäude-Klima e.V.; since 2011 Fachverband Gebäude-Klima e.V., FGK), industry-specific press, information and public relations work have been the main focus of its activities. The objective of this work is to promote indoor climate enhancement in the widest variety of spaces.

With the aim of further promoting sustainable, economically efficient building in the future, sixteen founder members from various specialist sectors of the construction and real estate sectors established the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) in the summer of 2007. The focus of its work is the continuous development of comprehensive certification for sustainable buildings at home and abroad. The DGNB certificate distinguishes environmentally sound, economically efficient, user-friendly buildings.

Building on the common “East Frisian Emsland Declaration” of 4 August 1995, in 2006 the administrative districts of Aurich, Wittmund, Leer and Emsland, the County of Bentheim and the town of Emden joined forces with businesses, chambers of commerce and organizations of the region to form the “Ems-Axis Growth Region”.

The basic goal is to expand the Ems-Axis as an independent economic and commercial artery. This involves the expansion of the business infrastructure and the construction of networks for the regional economy.

The BVMW is Germany's largest entrepreneurial network and, among other things, works with political decision-makers to improve the political framework conditions for SMEs.