Ever wondered how your favorite products are rated? Stiftung Warentest is the answer. Right here on Lützowplatz in Berlin’s Tiergarten stands the headquarters of this influential organization. Stiftung Warentest is a non-profit consumer protection foundation. It was founded in 1964 by the Federal Republic of Germany. Its mission is to impartially test and compare goods and services.
The Stiftung plays a significant role in German consumer behavior. Its reputation for independence is well-earned. Good ratings often boost product sales. Conversely poor ratings can lead to plummeting sales. Manufacturers sometimes even sue the Stiftung. Interestingly the Stiftung has never had to pay damages. It consistently wins any legal battles.
The Stiftung’s influence extends beyond its subscriber base and media coverage. Word of mouth spreads its findings far and wide. It’s self-financing. The organization sells its own magazines test and Finanztest. It also sells books special magazine issues and test results on its website. The Federal Ministry of Nutrition Agriculture and Consumer Protection provides a subsidy. This compensates for the absence of advertising in its publications. This ensures the Stiftung maintains its independence.
The Stiftung conducts over 200 product and service tests annually. These span almost every area of daily life. Since 2002 special offers mainly from discount retailers are investigated weekly. The results are published online quickly. Aspects of corporate social responsibility have been included since 2004. They are incorporated in investigations of specified products. The Stiftung also offers a database with information on more than 9000 medications.
The Stiftung employs market researchers and scientific staff. They select products and carry out the investigations. Every project is approved by the Advisory Council. It’s also discussed at a meeting with advisory experts. These represent consumers industry manufacturers retailers providers and independent experts. The tests themselves aren’t done by Stiftung Warentest employees. Independent external test institutes worldwide conduct them. Test samples are bought anonymously in stores. They are not provided by manufacturers.
Before publication the Stiftung sends results to manufacturers for verification. Journalists summarize the findings for easier understanding. Dedicated verification staff ensure accuracy. The grading system mirrors that of German schools. Very good ratings range from 0.5 to 1.5. Good is 1.6 to 2.5. Satisfactory is 2.6 to 3.5. Adequate is 3.6 to 4.5. Unsatisfactory is 4.6 to 5.5. So next time you see a Stiftung Warentest rating remember the rigorous process behind it. Remember the dedication to consumer protection. Remember the building you stand in front of right now. This building houses a powerful force in the German consumer landscape.