Test centre for the self-monitoring of wastewater systems Recognition
According to the "Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment on Expert Bodies in Water Management" of 02.05.2001, investigation bodies that investigate substances in accordance with Section 61 (1) of the Federal Water Act (WHG) by order of the water authority or the technical authority must be recognised. The recognition procedure is based on the water module of the Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser (LAWA).
Responsible authority
The competent authority for recognising expert bodies in water management is the Baden-Württemberg State Institute for the Environment (LUBW).
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
An essential prerequisite for recognition is proof of expertise. Proof of expertise is provided by a valid and complete accreditation in accordance with DIN EN ISO 17025 applicable to the areas of testing applied for or by a laboratory assessment by the Baden-Württemberg State Institute for the Environment (LUBW).
Procedure
The application for recognition as an expert body in water management must be submitted in writing to the State Institute for the Environment (LUBW). Recognition is revocable. The investigation task for which authorisation is to be granted must be specified in the application.
The application form and other documents required for the application (declaration of obligation, list of procedures for the application for approval for wastewater testing) can be requested informally by sending an e-mail to Post-ASUS@lubw.bwl.de or downloaded here .
The State Institute for the Environment (LUBW) checks the completeness of the application documents and then confirms receipt of the application in writing or by e-mail. If documents are missing, the LUBW will request that they be submitted within a reasonable period of time. After receipt of the complete documents and if all requirements are met, the LUBW will issue a notice of recognition within a period of 3 months.
Further information can be found here
Deadlines
Recognition ends after 5 years at the latest. Recognition can be extended upon application. The application for renewal must be submitted at least 6 months before the recognition expires.
The LUBW has a processing period of 3 months after receipt of the complete application documents (initial application, amendment application and renewal application).
Required documents
In the case of accreditation without a laboratory assessment by the Landesanstalt für Umwelt Baden-Württemberg (LUBW), the following documents must be provided:
- Accreditation documents (accreditation notice, accreditation certificate and the last assessment report)
- Application form
- Declaration of commitment
- Consent to the storage and processing of personal data (provided with the application form),
- CVs and certificates of good conduct for the laboratory manager and deputy laboratory manager
- current organisation chart
- Proof of liability insurance
- Lists of procedures
In the case of accreditation with laboratory assessment by the Landesanstalt für Umwelt Baden-Württemberg (LUBW), the following documents must be provided:
- The above-mentioned documents (without accreditation documents)
- A current extract from the commercial register (HR extract)
- The quality management manual
- The most recent management review
- List of work/procedure instructions/SOPs for all procedures applied for
Costs
A fee is charged for recognition, laboratory inspection (if applicable), withdrawal or rejection of an application, extension and revocation of recognition. The fee is charged according to the cost and scope of the recognition procedure. The fee is set in accordance with §§ 4 and 7 of the State Fees Act (LGebG) of 14 December 2004 (GBl. p. 895) in conjunction with number 10.1 or 10.2 of the Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Food and Rural Areas on the Fees of the State Institute for the Environment, Measurements and Natural Protection of Baden-Württemberg (Fee Ordinance - LUBW) of 1 December 2006 (GBl. No. 15, p. 387) in the currently valid version.
Processing time
The processing time for recognition varies depending on whether a laboratory inspection is required. The processing period is a maximum of 3 months from receipt of the complete application.
Miscellaneous
none
Legal basis
Verordnung des Umweltministeriums über sachverständige Stellen in der Wasserwirtschaft (WasWiSachvStV BW):
- § 3 Absatz 1 Satz 1 Anerkennungsverfahren
Release note
Machine generated, based on the German release by: Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg, 30.10.2025