The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) is a federal agency in the business unit of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit (BMWA). Its assignment is reflected in their guidance „safety and reliability in chemistry- and material science". A particular attribute of the BAM is its neutrality and independence, as well as their multidisziplinarity which allows the treatment of highly complex problems.

The section VI.4 develops and aids the quality management in the thin film and coating technology plus the long-range function assurance of materials and components that are produced with surface technology. Focal points are damage analysis and reports, developement and validation of referential coating systems and surface testing and analytic methods, developement of validation of sensors (gas-, moisture-, temperature-, print- and chemical sensors), as well as national and international standardisation.