DIN, the German Institute for Standardization, is the independent platform for standardization in Germany and worldwide. As a partner for industry, research and society as a whole, DIN plays a major role to supporting the marketability of innovative solutions through standardization - be it in topics around the digitization of business and society or in the context of research projects.

More than 36,500 experts from industry, research, consumer protection and the public sector bring their expertise to work on standardization projects managed by DIN. The results of these efforts are market-oriented standards and specifications that promote global trade, encouraging rationalization, quality assurance and environmental protection as well as improving security and communication.

DIN was founded in 1917 and celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2017. 

A public-private partnership

In 1975 DIN entered a public-private partnership with the German Federal Republic by signing the Standards Agreement in which DIN is acknowledged as the sole national standards body in Germany.
According to this Agreement, DIN is obliged to

• consider the public interest in the preparation of standards,
• ensure that its standards can be referenced as documents which describe technical requirements, in legislation, in matters affecting public administration, and in legal relations, and
• contribute to international understanding in the field of standardization.

The Federal Government undertakes to

• recognize DIN as the competent standards organization for Germany and as the national standards body representing Germany in non-governmental international standards organizations, and
• apply DIN standards in its administrative departments, when issuing invitations to tender or placing orders, and to use its influence to ensure that other public authorities placing contracts do the same.