Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in the international quality infrastructure: A global dialogue between Germany and Brazil

As part of the “Global Project Quality Infrastructure” (GPQI), an initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) attended the 7th Annual Meeting of the German-Brazilian Working Group on Quality Infrastructure (QI) and other associated events in Hanover and Berlin in April 2026.

As part of the GPQI, Germany and Brazil have been engaged in a technical dialogue on quality infrastructure since 2017. The German-Brazilian working group involves the relevant ministries, regulatory authorities, public agencies, accreditation and standardisation bodies, industry associations and companies from both countries.

Discussion on the digital transformation of the quality infrastructure

In April 2026, the Brazilian delegation travelled to Germany for the upcoming annual meeting. On 22 April, ahead of the annual meeting, an in-depth discussion took place between the quality infrastructure (QI) institutions at the Berlin site of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) regarding the state of digitalisation of QI systems. The focus was on the digital transformation of the quality infrastructure and the use of digital certificates.

Sabine Reinkober, Advisor for national and international accreditation policy at DAkkS, represented the German delegation alongside experts from PTB, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V. (DIN) and Deutsche Kommission Elektrotechnik, Elektronik & Informationstechnik in DIN und VDE (DKE). Discussions focused on efficiency gains through the use of digital quality assurance tools, for example in the form of digital calibration certificates, certificates for reference material manufacturers, smart standards and the digital accreditation symbol, as well as their use in the Digital Product Passport (DPP). A key topic was the harmonisation of these tools and their interoperability in order to increase efficiency in international cooperation.

More information on the digital accreditation symbol

The Brazilian delegation reported on the progress made and challenges faced in the digitalisation of quality assurance systems, as well as the current situation in Brazil and the regulatory and institutional framework. Current and past projects were also discussed. Another key topic was the EU-Mercosur Agreement, signed in January 2026, which will create one of the world’s largest free trade areas between the EU and South America.

7th Annual Meeting of the German-Brazilian Working Group at Hannover Messe

The annual meeting of the German-Brazilian Working Group, which took place on 22 April 2026 as part of Hannover Messe, provided a platform to discuss regulatory issues and current developments in quality infrastructure. Key topics included the new EU Product Safety Regulation and the integration of aspects such as the circular economy, digitalisation and DPP into quality infrastructure standards and regulations.

Current activities of DAkkS in the field of artificial intelligence

During the plenary session, Sabine Reinkober provided an update on current activities of DAkkS in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). She outlined the organisation's involvement in developing the international standards ISO/IEC 42006 and ISO/IEC 42007. These standards aim to provide conformity assessment bodies with guidelines for certifying AI management systems, as well as developing guidelines for programme owners to establish AI conformity assessment and certification programmes.

In addition, the Technical Bulletin, which was developed by Dr. Mattis Jacobs, Expert in new technologies and artificial intelligence at DAkkS, and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), was presented. The Technical Bulletin provides informative guidance on existing information requirements for the introduction of AI, and offers recommendations to accredited conformity assessment bodies on key aspects of working with AI systems.

More information on the Technical Bulletin

Regulation of Artificial Intelligence for a secure quality infrastructure

The following day, the topic of AI was explored in greater depth during a workshop. In a smaller group comprising the QI institutions, experts from DAkkS, BAM, PTB and BMWE discussed the challenges involved in regulating AI, particularly with regard to the EU’s AI Act and regulatory developments in Brazil.

Another focus was the safe use of AI in quality infrastructure, for example in the deployment of AI agents and the application of AI in metrology, including MRI technology. The risks associated with AI systems were also discussed, with particular focus on how these risks can be mitigated through regulatory frameworks and accredited conformity assessment.

DAkkS was able to continue the discussion on AI activities within the context of international standardisation, as well as the technical bulletin on the use of AI in accredited conformity assessment, which had been presented the previous day.

During the workshop, the Brazilian delegation presented its AI projects, with a particular focus on the use of AI in market surveillance and developments at the AI Hub Brazil. Once again, the discussion centred on how to achieve trustworthy AI.

Continuing cooperation for a digital and secure future

During the discussions, the importance of close cooperation in digitalising quality infrastructure, and in developing standards and regulations for artificial intelligence, was emphasised. Germany and Brazil are both committed to establishing a secure and trustworthy foundation for the use of digital technologies in conformity assessment. Continued cooperation and dialogue will be crucial to the success of these initiatives.