Memberships, Partners, and Links
A partner network for information and helpful contacts.
SPECTARIS is a member and partner of numerous associations and initiatives. Through these organizations, we advocate, among other things, for the removal of trade barriers and the development of new markets for SPECTARIS industries. SPECTARIS also collaborates with a network of experts in the fields of foreign trade and export promotion. They are available to serve as your points of contact, and are happy to share their knowledge and assist with technical questions.
Memberships
SPECTARIS is a member of the Alliance for Trade Facilitation.
The Alliance for Trade Facilitation brings together German and international companies with stakeholders from the business and political sectors in partner countries. Through various projects, SPECTARIS works alongside companies, trade associations, and ministries to break down bureaucratic barriers and promote transparent customs, export, and import regulations.
SPECTARIS is a member of the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA). AUMA provides information to potential and current exhibitors and visitors at trade shows and is particularly committed to supporting German small and medium-sized enterprises at trade shows abroad and young, innovative companies at trade shows in Germany.
SPECTARIS is a member of the Medical Technology Working Group of the Healthcare Industry Export Initiative and represents the perspectives of its member companies on the various committees.
Video from the Healthcare Industry Export Initiative on YouTube
SPECTARIS is a member of the German Business Association for Eastern Europe (OAOEV). The OAOEV is the major regional initiative of the German business community covering 29 countries in Central Europe, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. As a networking partner, the OAOEV keeps us informed about current market developments in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. SPECTARIS also actively participates in the OAOEV’s Healthcare Industry Working Group.
The vbw—Association of Bavarian Industry—is SPECTARIS's cooperation partner for Bavaria. SPECTARIS is also a member of this association.
Our Partners
The partnership with the Agency for Economic Affairs and Development enables SPECTARIS to keep its members informed about current developments in the areas of international business promotion and financing. At the same time, it provides a network for interacting with economic stakeholders worldwide.
For more than 160 years, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) has been advocating for companies in the retail, service, and industrial sectors. This is where the regional Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) come together to articulate and coordinate their supraregional interests. The staff keeps a close eye on EU legislation and its impact on the German business community.
The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH is a valued partner of SPECTARIS in international affairs.
Germany Trade & Invest is the Federal Republic of Germany’s agency for foreign trade and location marketing. The agency promotes Germany as a business and technology hub abroad, provides German companies with information about foreign markets, and assists foreign companies in establishing operations in Germany.
The Hamburg Customs Academy (HZA) is a partner of SPECTARIS for continuing education in the areas of customs and export controls. SPECTARIS member companies receive preferential rates on registration fees for all HZA open seminars. Please mention your SPECTARIS membership when registering for a seminar.
IHK-Exportakademie GmbH is a valued partner of SPECTARIS in connection with certified training programs in the field of foreign trade.
The GTAI Export Guide brings together a unique network of partners comprising all stakeholders in Germany’s foreign trade promotion sector—from leading German business associations, to federal and state ministries and development agencies, to state associations, financing institutions, and German development cooperation organizations.
GvW Graf von Westphalen is a leading law firm specializing in foreign trade law and advises companies on all matters related to foreign trade, export control, sanctions, customs, and excise tax law, as well as in the area of Green Trade/ESG (particularly the LkSG, EUDR, CBAM, etc.).
The law firm Luther mbH is a SPECTARIS partner for legal matters.
The European law firm Noerr LLP assists us in gathering information on international legal issues. In collaboration with Noerr, SPECTARIS organizes numerous webinars.
The East Asian Association (OAV) is SPECTARIS’s cooperation partner for the markets in South, Southeast, and East Asia. The partnership aims to facilitate an in-depth exchange on technical and market-related trends in the SPECTARIS industries and to work together to more effectively address policy issues in the region.
As part of its partnership with the law firm Rödl & Partner GmbH, SPECTARIS offers its members expertise on markets such as Russia and Central Asia through joint webinars, among other initiatives.
TANGENS Wirtschaftsakademie GmbH is a partner of SPECTARIS for continuing education in the areas of export, import, and customs. SPECTARIS member companies receive a 10% discount on TANGENS Academy’s continuing education courses in these subject areas when they provide the keyword “SPECTARIS.” When booking a course, please enter the keyword in the comments field to redeem the discount.
The Africa Business Network is a partner of SPECTARIS on issues related to the African market and also serves as a liaison for stakeholders in Germany's foreign trade and development cooperation sectors.
Information on current national and international events, country profiles, and personalized advice on establishing business contacts in and with Africa.
Reference page for foreign trade promotion, country information, information on events, links to foreign trade promotion organizations, online portal for facilitating business contacts (E-Trade-Center)
Comprehensive trade show catalog for domestic and international trade shows. International trade show program and the federal government’s participation in trade shows. Information on the trade show industry and funding opportunities.
Information on international markets and German economic initiatives. Research resources, help desks on specific topics.
Federation of German Exporters
Facts and figures on wholesale and foreign trade in the German economy. Information on dates and publications.
Up-to-date information on CDH's international activities and involvement as an advocate. Online platform for sales and sales representatives.
Country profiles and economic information on the Arab world. Dates and events.
Links to all AHKs worldwide. Country information, business matchmaking, and information on bilateral foreign trade.
Information on GIZ projects worldwide, specialized publications, and information on partnerships between the private sector and GIZ in development projects (public-private partnerships).
Umbrella organization for the 80 German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs). Basic information on foreign trade, foreign trade promotion, legal issues, and investments abroad. Links to other important institutions.
Loan financing and consulting for companies with investment projects in emerging and developing countries. Financing and grant programs. Current projects and links to country offices worldwide.
Consulting on risk management, sales management, and sales protection. Information on insurance for export transactions, export credit guarantees, and country risk analyses.
Support Programs for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. Information on Recent Publications.
Information about the Germany-Latin America Business Network. News about the business climate throughout the region. Current reports and informational events.
Country information and a business contact exchange. Upcoming events and information about German companies operating in Asia.
Information on Germany's foreign policy and country profiles for all nations worldwide: travel and safety advisories, a directory of addresses for all German diplomatic missions abroad
The German reference site for foreign trade: Extensive databases, country and industry information, information on international tenders, and investment and development projects
Information on current policies in the fields of research and science, as well as on international research collaboration
- Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR)
- Information on Germany's Development Policy
Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ)
Information on the Federal Government's current economic policy and foreign trade instruments
With a wide range of services, the Renewable Energy Export Initiative supports companies in tapping into foreign markets
Visit the "Overseas Business Protection" pages to learn how the German government supports German companies and banks in their international activities.
Information on projects financed by the EIB. Access to EIB press releases, events, and publications.
Links to all EU websites and access to preparatory legal acts, as well as to the EU institutions and bodies.
- European Union
TheEnterprise Europe Networkis represented in all federal states andprovides informationand advice on innovation-oriented developments, initiatives, and programs ofthe European Union, and helps you find business and technology partners
Enterprise Europe Network
Information on EBRD financing instruments for banks and the private sector.
Information and publications on international standards and testing.
Investment Guarantees from the World Bank Group for Developing Countries.
Access to numerous databases containing country profiles, statistics, and economic data. Current studies and reports on ongoing OECD programs.
Reference page on intellectual property and patent law. Legislation. Online search for patents, registered trademarks, designs, and much more worldwide.
Access to databases containing country profiles and current development studies. Reports on economic policy frameworks. Information on the World Bank's activities and development projects.
The latest information and publications on customs. Global customs standards, information on the harmonization of customs procedures, etc.
Information page on exports, taxes, and customs. Service provider specializing in information dissemination.
Information on all innovation networks in Germany, organized by subject area and region.
The "Foreign Trade" section features specialized publications and current reports on exports and customs law. The section also offers magazines and information services.
U.S. reference site for country profiles worldwide, with extensive information.
Products, addresses, and company profiles of more than 35,000 export-oriented German companies, sorted by industry group.
Latest press releases on national and international topics.
Official Journal of the European Union, Notices Regarding EU Legislation.
Information on customs tariffs and customs formalities worldwide. Information on export and import regulations, trade barriers by sector, statistics, and studies.
A search engine for current publications, press reports, country information, and much more in regional, national, and, in some cases, international daily, weekly, and trade publications.
Your contact person
Current Topic: Support for Compliance Issues in the Supply Chain
The Federal Government’s Business & Human Rights Helpdesk at the Agency for Economic and Development Cooperation supports companies in implementing human rights in their supply chains and provides information on the requirements for manufacturers at the national and international levels.
What Our Members Say
SPECTARIS acts as a strong association that vigorously represents the interests of its members in the political, business, and social spheres.
“SPECTARIS acts as a strong association that vigorously represents its members’ interests in the political, business, and social spheres. As members, we have the opportunity to actively raise our concerns and help shape the agenda to ensure that our voice is heard in relevant political and social discussions. In addition, through SPECTARIS, we have access to a broad network of companies, experts, and decision-makers from the high-tech industry. This allows us to forge valuable contacts and leverage synergies. Through this exchange, we and other members can benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise.”
Frank-Martin Rammelt, Managing Director of seleon GmbH
Together, we are strong.
Together we are strong—That is why we value the strong network and the open and excellent collaboration within the association, which allows us, as one of the leading manufacturers, to work together on solutions to the modern challenges in the contact lens industry, to collaborate on joint campaigns, and to capitalize on identified trends.
Johannes Zupfer, General Manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, CooperVision GmbH
Advancing Photonics
Photonics is one of the most innovative key industries and places high demands on the organizations that represent its interests. SPECTARIS meets these demands in a compelling manner. As a strong industry association, SPECTARIS effectively represents the interests of its members in the political, business, and social spheres, while also promoting exchange and networking within the industry. We thank SPECTARIS for this commitment and greatly value our trusting collaboration.
Dr. Ralf Kuschnereit, JENOPTIK AG
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.”
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.” Thanks to innovation and automation, spring hinges and security screws can be manufactured in large quantities at the Ispringen facility. This goes hand in hand with increased productivity and a division of labor for simple products at our facility in China. In this way, we secure jobs in Germany.
Peter Specht / Erik Schäfer - Managing Directors, OBE
Community makes us strong!
For us as medium-sized companies, the SPECTARIS association serves as a bridge between the government and our interests—our collective strength makes us stronger! We appreciate the very helpful continuing education program in the field of medical technology and benefit from the organization of a wide variety of delegation trips. Our membership in SPECTARIS also ensures that we receive regular updates on new regulatory requirements.
Maik Greiser, Managing Partner / CEO, ATMOS MedizinTechnik GmbH & Co. KG
The association offers services that are perfectly tailored to our needs.
Our industry association, SPECTARIS, is a strong advocate for the interests of medium-sized, owner-managed companies like ours. It is just as important to us that the association provides a platform for open dialogue among member companies and offers services—such as industry reports and events focused on specific topics—that are perfectly tailored to our needs.
Managing Partners of Jüke Systemtechnik GmbH, Martin Hovestadt (left) and Heinrich Jürgens (right)
A Voice for Medical Technology
For us as a medical technology manufacturer, SPECTARIS serves as an important voice in our dealings with policymakers. Especially in light of the current MDR, it is immensely important to have a strong and effective association to represent our interests. We are very satisfied with our collaboration and feel well represented.
Regina Kirchner-Gottschalk, Managing Director of KaWe – KIRCHNER & WILHELM GmbH + Co. KG
Innovation drives us forward
Demands are growing, markets are changing—but innovation opens up new paths for us. With digital progress, bold ideas, and modern processes, we are shaping the standards of tomorrow. As a SPECTARIS member, we leverage the strength of the network to actively shape the future in this dynamic environment.
Fabian Bohnen, COO / Stephan Börner, CEO, Ofa Bamberg GmbH
What we particularly appreciate about SPECTARIS is its technical expertise.
As a medium-sized medical technology company, Richard Wolf benefits greatly from SPECTARIS’s extensive network. We particularly value their technical expertise.
Management of Richard Wolf GmbH: Mr. Pfab, Mr. Steinbeck
It's worth getting involved!
In times of rapid and far-reaching changes in the medtech industry and a challenging regulatory environment, SPECTARIS is an important partner for our company and plays an indispensable role as an advocate for our interests in Berlin and Brussels. It’s worth getting involved!
Bert Sutter, Managing Director, Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH
We want to be a trusted partner for our laboratory customers, both today and in the future.
SPECTARIS’s in-depth information on industry and technology trends, as well as the regulatory landscape, is just as important to us as its advocacy work in Berlin and Brussels. The dedicated SPECTARIS team is always a great point of contact for us.
Dr. Christoph Schöler, Managing Partner, BRAND GMBH + CO KG, VACUUBRAND GMBH + CO KG
A voice for the industry
In a diverse and specialized industry such as analytical technology—which is highly technical and subject to numerous regulatory requirements—small specialists compete with large technology conglomerates. SPECTARIS succeeds in uniting the interests of all its members and serves as the industry’s collective voice and advocate.
Albrecht Sieper, Managing Director of Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH
SPECTARIS is the ideal platform.
SPECTARIS provides us with the ideal platform for constructive dialogue with member companies and serves as a reliable voice for the laboratory industry in the realms of politics and science.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, Managing Partner of LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG
SPECTARIS fosters collaboration in our industry.
“The very informative discussions at SPECTARIS in Berlin and here at our office convinced me of SPECTARIS’s commitment and the quality of its work. In particular, the opportunity to combine topics from analytical, biotechnology, and laboratory technology with the field of medical technology is very interesting for Sigma,” I wrote upon joining in 2011. This has been confirmed, and today we are actively involved in several working groups.
Dr. Michael Sander, Managing Director of Sigma Laborzentrifugen GmbH
National advocacy group puts the spotlight on the industry
Laser Components benefits from the industry association in a variety of ways. As a company, we value the broad exchange of information within the working groups—whether in human resources, marketing, or export control, customs, and foreign trade practices. For our industry, Spectaris also serves as a political voice—the Photonics Trade Association not only maintains constant communication with the BMWi and BMBF ministries but also provides information on European initiatives.
Patrick Paul, Managing Director of LASER COMPONENTS GmbH
A Voice for Innovative Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
In the century of the photon, we need an advocacy group that is both strong and responsive. For us, as providers and consultants for the most innovative products on the global photonics market, this institution is particularly important. We know our interests (e.g., in the area of foreign trade) are in good hands, and we can focus on what matters most: satisfying our customers.
Andreas Börner, Managing Director of Laser 2000 GmbH
Our membership in the SPECTARIS industry association is of great value to us.
It not only gives us access to a strong network of leading companies across various high-tech industries, but also provides an important platform for professional exchange and continuing education. In addition, we benefit from the association’s strong advocacy with policymakers, the business community, and society at large, which plays a crucial role in creating a sustainable framework for the future. Through our membership in SPECTARIS, we can contribute our expertise, address current developments at an early stage, and jointly drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Frank Billhardt, Laser Protection Division EMEA, LASERVISION GmbH & Co. KG
