© Stiftung Warentest/Amin Akhtar
Stiftung Warentest was established in 1964 by the German federal parliament with the aim of helping consumers by providing impartial and objective information.
The information is based on the results of comparative investigations of goods and services. Stiftung Warentest is a foundation.
- We buy products – anonymously from retailers, and make covert use of services.
- We carry out tests – in independent labs that use scientific methods and follow our specifications.
- We give verdicts – ranging from „very good“ to „unsatisfactory“, based solely on objective results.
- We publish our findings – totally free of adverts in our magazines „test“ and „Finanztest“, and online at www.test.de.
Facts + figures
Some statistics: since it was founded Stiftung Warentest has carried out about 6,500 tests. In addition, we have carried out investigations of almost 2,700 services. The results are published each year in more than 6 million copies of our magazines.
All facts + figures (in German)
Publication „test“
The test magazine is Stiftung Warentest’s oldest and best-known publication. Since 1966 it has provided impartial and objective advice about the products and services of everyday life. In addition to the tests and investigations, there are also articles, as well as information about trends and useful tips for consumers. Paid circulation: 312,000 copies.
Publication „Finanztest“
From A for assets to Z for zero-bonds – „Finanztest“ has been on the market since 1991 and has specialised in topics such as insurance, investment, tax and legal issues. A continually updated database provides a comprehensive comparison of equity funds, loans and savings interest rates each month. The paid circulation totals 201,000 copies.
test.de
The complete contents of „test“ and „Finanztest“ can be downloaded from our website. Consumers can also compare the tested products using our product databases. They can customise the data to best meet their own personal needs, using the interactive possibilities of various filters. Our website test.de provides the latest important information for consumers on a daily basis. It has more than 110.000 paid subscriptions.
Books
Stiftung Warentest offers an extensive range of books about topics such as health and nutrition, multimedia, home and garden as well as finance and legal issues. Last year 38 new books have been published, and sum total there are about 200 titles available.
Investigation work
Following a comprehensive planning phase, Stiftung Warentest’s staff compile an investigation programme and purchase the test samples anonymously in shops, just like regular customers.
Independent, external labs are then commissioned to carry out the tests on behalf of the foundation. Investigated services are used covertly by trained mystery shoppers. Finally, Stiftung Warentest publishes and disseminates the results of its investigations.
Each year, Stiftung Warentest investigates in more than 200 tests and investigations of services. In addition, it carries out fast-track tests and provides market overviews and research-based reports.
Structure + statutes
In accordance with our statutes (PDF in English, see statutes in French here), Stiftung Warentest has three bodies: The Board, Supervisory Board and Advisory Council. What role do they play and who are the members? Here is an overview:
Board: Julia Bönisch is the CEO of Stiftung Warentest since 2024. In accordance with the Statutes and in her function as sole member of the Executive Board, she represents the foundation officially and is responsible for its operational activities. Stiftung Warentest’s Executive Management Team comprises Julia Bönisch, Dr Holger Brackemann (Research Division), Dr Birger Venn-Hein (CIO/CDO) and Daniel Gläser (Finance, Human Resources, Internal Services).
Supervisory Board: The Supervisory Board with its seven members is responsible for appointing the Executive Board, and among other things also supervises its operational activities. Supervisory Board members (in German)
Advisory Council: The Advisory Council, which comprises six representatives of consumers and of industry respectively, as well as six independent experts, has an advisory capacity. It can suggest topics for investigations and also veto planned projects. Advisory Council members (in German)
Address
Stiftung Warentest is located in Germany‘s capital Berlin.
Lützowplatz 11–13
10785 Berlin
Germany
Street map
Directions
Directions (PDF)
Bus stop: Lützowplatz (M29, 100, 106, 187)
Unterground station: Nollendorfplatz (U1, U2, U3, U4) – approx. 10 min. walk
Timetable
Contact
For further information please contact:
Michael Nowak
Communications Department
+49 30 26 31 – 23 41
m.nowak@stiftung-warentest.de