Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

An efficient metrology, standardization, testing and quality assurance infrastructure is a basic prerequisite for a modern industrialized country. Only an optimized metrological infrastructure allows technology to be correctly used to the benefit of men, energy and raw materials to be effectively used in an ecologically sound way and goods to be exchanged on a supranational basis

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig and Berlin, which comes under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, is entrusted with these tasks. The Federal institutions are based on a governmental mandate, stipulated in laws and ordinances. In the case of PTB, it is a constitutional mandate, derived from the original responsibility of the State for the uniformity of metrology and the safety and protection of the citizen.

Another aim of the mandate is to build confidence in the reliability and impartiality of measurements for the individual as consumer, authority or firm. The specific governmental mandate of PTB is to provide society, trade and industry with an efficient internationally accepted metrological infrastructure. Research and technological development serve to comply with this task in a responsible and competent way.