Focus on quality infrastructure: Review of a forward-looking conference at the BMWE

On May 15, 2025, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) in Berlin became the meeting place for around 100 experts from politics, business, and academia. The occasion: the conference “Global Perspectives on Quality Infrastructure – A Key to a Competitive German Economy.” At its core was a central question: How can a modern, high-performing quality infrastructure help shape international trade to be fair, safe, and sustainable?

Right at the start of the event, State Secretary Bernhard Kluttig underscored the importance of the topic. Quoting a recent report from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), he captured the essence of the day: “Quality infrastructure is the unsung hero of trade.” This message resonated throughout the conference, reflected in numerous presentations and discussions that highlighted the strategic relevance of standards, conformity assessment, and accreditation for global value creation and fair competition.

The morning sessions offered insights into the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the field of quality infrastructure. Keynotes, expert talks, and panel discussions explored topics such as QI-Digital, the Digital Product Passport, and technical regulations in international partner countries. Of particular value were the practice-based contributions showing how German companies and institutions are already playing an active role in harmonizing international standards—and where further action is still needed.

In the afternoon, the spotlight turned to the five GPQI partner countries: China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil. First, an overview of political, economic, and regulatory developments in each country was presented. This was followed by results from country-specific consultations with local stakeholders, covering challenges and cooperation potential in areas like standardization and conformity assessment. The day concluded with a discussion on how participants can become more involved and better leverage synergies in collaboration. The open exchange once again made it clear: GPQI thrives on the commitment and input of its partners—and offers a wide range of opportunities to actively help shape quality infrastructure on a global scale.

The conference's takeaway was clear: A robust, reliable, and co-created quality infrastructure is not a “nice to have”—it is a critical foundation for economic success and for Germany’s competitiveness as a business location. It builds trust, reduces trade barriers, and enhances innovation capacity—in Germany, in Europe, and beyond. The conference showed just how well-positioned Germany already is in this field—and how joint efforts can continue to make a meaningful difference in the future.