DAkkS optimises billing practices

Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) is optimising its billing practices for accreditation services with effect from 1 October 2021. With immediate effect, advance payments are now lower than before. In addition, DAkkS is also adjusting the estimate of fees and disbursements. The changes come into force on 1 October 2021 at the same time as the ordinance on fees as amended by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Reduction in advance payments

DAkkS collects advance payments for its so-called “individually attributable public services”. In does so to cover its own payment obligations, which are also incurred before the actual performance of the service. The amount of these advance payments is based on the fees and disbursements determined and expected to be incurred in the fee estimate. From now on, DAkkS will lower the proportion of fees to be paid in advance with a view to reducing the burden on conformity assessment bodies. The legal basis for requiring advance payment is constituted by the Federal Fees Act and the Act on the Accreditation Body as amended in July 2017.

More precise estimate of fees and disbursements

DAkkS is also adjusting its calculation of the fee estimate for accreditation cases in order to be able to determine the expected costs of each case more precisely. The adjustment is based on the figures based on experience gathered since the introduction of the fee ordinance in 2018. This step will help to reduce possible deviations between the estimated value and the actual expenses incurred by DAkkS in each case.

October start

DAkkS will apply the improvements in billing practices with effect from October 2021. The amendment to AkkStelleGebV, the ordinance on fees for accreditation bodies, which was published in August by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, also comes into force at the same time.