By the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Wiesbaden / Germany publicly appointed and Certified Expert / Certified Witness
for Photovoltaic Systems
Definition: What makes an expert?
What distinguishes the expert from a self-proclaimed experts?
Officially appointed and under oath experts - independent and neutral
The term "expert" or “expert-witness” is not protected in Germany. The result: Even experts who are not qualified as experts are on the market. To distinguish the real experts from others, see the explanation outlined below.
The German legislation provides official certification as a method to distinguish between the real experts and the rest.
Official certification states that an expert is exceptionally qualified in a particular field.
Official certified experts are also sworn to act independently and neutral. This means that their expert opinion can be relied on. What is more, anyone commissioning an official certified expert strengthens his own reputation and position by eliminating the suspicion of bias. Official certified experts are independent and neutral. This is why in legal cases German courts require official certified experts it they are in need of a neutral expert opinion.
Official certified experts do not have to work on their own. They are allowed to work in competence teams with engineering companies, laboratories or test institutes. However, they are always personally responsible for the report they issue as an expert.
Qualifications - Constantly put to the test
Only experts with outstanding qualifications are official certified. In order to obtain official certification they are required to undergo an extensive examination procedure. Official experts are also subject to supervision by the state-appointed award bodies which keep a constant updated list of official certified experts. These are mainly the chambers of architects, the chambers of crafts, the chambers of industry and commerce, the chambers of engineers, the chambers of agriculture.
This also means that experts who have already received official certification can lose this status if they no longer execute and are aware of new standards and changes in specifications/legislations. The trustworthiness and personal integrity of official certified experts also comes under scrutiny. Only if they satisfy all criteria they bear this much sought after seal of quality as an official expert.
Tasks and missions - Experts, consultants and arbitrators
Official certified experts do not just prepare expert judgments on facts and route causes. They can also advise and can be responsible for regular inspections and monitoring; they will analyse and evaluate equipment. Experts also can act as arbitrators if two contracting parties have agreed to accept the decision of an expert as binding. This ensures that legal clarity is achieved quickly. Examples are if the quality of a delivery or service has met the terms of a contractual agreement or if a plant has been installed to standards.
In view of the broad range of specialised areas there is no uniform fee schedule. Private clients and experts negotiate the charges for the selected service.
Legislation - Confidence and certainty
An opinion from an official certified expert will give certainty to entrepreneurial, court and private decisions. This is what motivated the German legislator to introduce official certification. The fact that the state recognises the special qualifications of a particular expert and the special quality of his work makes it easier for companies, courts and consumers to make their choice, guarantees that an expert opinion will meet the high requirements for his quality of work.
Official certification - The mark of quality in the expert profession
The demand for the services of an expert is increasing throughout Europe. Companies, courts and consumers who come to need the specialised knowledge of a German expert are faced with the core task of how to find one who is sufficiently qualified for the job.
The answer is simple. Anyone engaging the services of an official certified expert can expect to receive a service of high quality -
in Germany and in the global arena alike.
