15th Workshop “Approval – Certification – Standardisation in the field of fuel cells and hydrogen”

Standardisation drives innovation: The market ramp-up of hydrogen technologies can only be successful if the path is paved by appropriate standardisation work. The workshop “Approval – Certification – Standardisation for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen” provides insights into pre-normative research and current developments and projects and offers an opportunity for exchange.

Regulatory issues, standardization and standards often seem abstract – yet they are a key driver of innovation and market access, especially in the field of hydrogen technologies. The workshop “Approval – Certification – Standardisation for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen” on 24 and 25 of February 2026 in Oldenburg brought together experts from research, industry and politics to provide insights into the legal framework, pre-normative research and application examples.

blaue Pinnwand mit vielen beschriebenen Kärtchen

The 15th ZZN workshop offers an interactive platform for the exchange of experiences and information:

  • Pre-normative research at national and European level
  • Legal framework conditions for and from standardization
  • Current developments in the area of Regulations, Codes and Standards (RCS)
  • Insights into current projects on their way from preliminary work to standardization

The workshop is aimed at a wide range of professionals who wish to expand their knowledge, including:

  • End users
  • System operators
  • Employees in research institutions
  • Hydrogen system integrator:inside
  • Members of certification bodies and standardization committees
Vorführung mit Feuer, während sich das Publikum die Ohren zuhält

The event was once again jointly organised by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems and ZBT – Center for Fuel Cell Technology.

It was two varied days with exciting presentations, interactive formats, laboratory tours at DLR in Oldenburg and plenty of room for discussions and networking.

Program

Day 1

Moderation: Dr. Michael Kröner

11:00 a.m. – Registration and arrival

11:30-12:00 – Introductory lecture
Standardization, what is it actually and what does it have to do with me?
Amelie Leipprand, DIN

12:15 p.m. – Lunch

13:00-13:15 – Welcome | Opening of the ZZN workshop
Dr. Alexander Dyck, DLR

13:15-14:45 – Legal basis and projects

  • Liability for products and product safety
    Dr. Wolfgang Gruber, Gruber Legal
  • Pre-normative research at EU level
    Prof. Dr. Christian Sattler, DLR
  • Federal government project – RCS platform for mobility
  • Joachim Jungsbluth, ZBT

15:15-16:45 – Application examples

  • Unit testing in the series production of fuel cell modules
    Dr. Michael Götz, EKPO
  • From white paper to standard: “Pre-normative RCS as a companion for ISO standardization”
    Dr. Marcus Merkel, CEP
  • Approval-relevant aspects for the conversion of caverns for the storage of hydrogen under mining law
    Carsten Reekers, Storag Etzel

16:45-17:15 – Walk to the DLR building

17:15-18:15 – Guided tours of the DLR laboratories

19:00 – Joint exchange in the Ratskeller, Oldenburg

 

Day 2

Moderation: Thomas Jungmann

8:00-08:30 – Opening of the second day

8:30-10:00 a.m. – Status of national RCS activities

  • News from NOW with a focus on hydrogen regulation
    Dr. Toni Haubitz, NOW
  • The highlights of the National Hydrogen Roadmap from the DKE’s perspective
    Dr. David Urmann, DKE
  • Status of standardization in Germany
    Jadranka Pfautsch, DWV

10:30-12:00 – Interactive part | Exemplary creation of a product-specific draft standard

12:15-12:45 – Conclusion | Presentation of the results, summary of the workshop, outlook

13:00-14:00 – Snack and conclusion of the workshop

Info

Date

February 24-25, 2026

Venue

TGO
Marie-Curie-Str. 1
26129 Oldenburg

Participation fee

580 €, incl. evening event, plus VAT.

Registration

Register here by January 31, 2026!

Organization

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems
ZBT – The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center

Further events