The company
Who we are.
What drives us.
Since 1995, the IFO Institute for Surface Technology has stood for scientific independence, accredited test procedures and a practical approach that can only come from three decades of industry experience.
Impartial in judgement. Precise in outcome.
The IFO Institute for Surface Technology is an independent, DAkkS-accredited testing and certification body for coatings and coating systems. As a neutral body acting between manufacturers, applicators and clients, we ensure reliability. This is underpinned by objective test results, recognised certifications and an interdisciplinary team of engineers, chemists and experts.
Our strength lies in combining scientific rigour with a practical approach. This results in findings that are internationally recognised and provide companies of all sizes with a reliable basis for their quality-related decisions
Our strength lies in combining scientific rigour with a practical approach. This results in findings that are internationally recognised and provide companies of all sizes with a reliable basis for their quality-related decisions
01
Independence
Anyone who commissions an audit from us cannot simply ‘order’ a result. That is precisely why our reports stand up to scrutiny, even when the other side questions them.
02
Precision
Every test condition is documented; every procedure is repeatable. Even years later, the same test can be carried out again and the results compared.
03
Responsibility
Our reports determine whether production runs are authorised, whether approvals are granted and whether liability issues arise. The significance of this determines how carefully we phrase our reports.
Founded and managed out of conviction.
The IFO was founded in 1995 by four experts in surface technology. The aim was clear from the outset: to deliver independent and scientifically sound results.
What began as a regional service provider is now an international network with more than 4,000 clients from over 75 countries. In addition to our head office in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, we have offices in Dresden (DE), the Netherlands, Poland, China and the UAE.
To this day, the institute is run by its founders themselves: short lines of communication, quick decisions, and responsibility that remains within the organisation.
What began as a regional service provider is now an international network with more than 4,000 clients from over 75 countries. In addition to our head office in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, we have offices in Dresden (DE), the Netherlands, Poland, China and the UAE.
To this day, the institute is run by its founders themselves: short lines of communication, quick decisions, and responsibility that remains within the organisation.
The IFO management team at the Schwäbisch Gmünd site (from left): Michael Müller and Marc Holz.
Accreditation: objectivity that can be proven.
Our accreditations provide independent and regular confirmation of the technical competence and quality of our testing and certification services. Our sites hold accreditations from recognised accreditation bodies. In Germany, accreditation is carried out by DAkkS; in China by CNAS; and at our site in the United Arab Emirates by IAS. These are based on internationally recognised standards and established testing procedures. The accreditation bodies not only verify that the requirements for initial accreditation are met, but also regularly check that these are being maintained.
For our clients, this means that our services are transparent, independent and delivered in accordance with internationally recognised standards. Within the scope of the relevant accreditation scopes and existing international agreements, in particular the ILAC MRA, the results and certifications can be recognised and utilised internationally.
The services and test procedures accredited at each site are clearly documented in the relevant accreditation certificates and their annexes. The documents for all IFO sites can be found in the downloads section.
For our clients, this means that our services are transparent, independent and delivered in accordance with internationally recognised standards. Within the scope of the relevant accreditation scopes and existing international agreements, in particular the ILAC MRA, the results and certifications can be recognised and utilised internationally.
The services and test procedures accredited at each site are clearly documented in the relevant accreditation certificates and their annexes. The documents for all IFO sites can be found in the downloads section.
DAkkS: Schwäbisch Gmünd Testing Laboratory
Accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 under registration number D-PL-11086-01-01.
Check the entry in the DAkkS database
DAkkS: Certification Body, Schwäbisch Gmünd
Accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065:2013 under number D-ZE-11086-01-00.
Check the entry in the DAkkS database
CNAS: Testing laboratory in Hangzhou, China
Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 under registration number L7640.
IAS: Testing laboratory in Dubai, UAE
Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 under number TL-1291.
FGIA / AAMA: Accreditation of the Schwäbisch Gmünd testing laboratory
Accredited testing laboratory for AAMA 611, 623, 624, 625, 2603, 2604 and 2605.
IFO & QUBUS: Our production-related services
IFO and QUBUS are two independent companies with a common conviction: that quality in surface technology can only be achieved when laboratory and consulting, testing and planning, science and practical relevance work together.
Whilst the IFO, as an accredited testing and certification body, stands for objective results, QUBUS contributes its engineering and planning expertise: plant design, process optimisation and consultancy provided directly on site at the customer’s premises.
Whilst the IFO, as an accredited testing and certification body, stands for objective results, QUBUS contributes its engineering and planning expertise: plant design, process optimisation and consultancy provided directly on site at the customer’s premises.
Paint shop / Coating Paint
Evaluation of the layer quality
Adhesion test
Corrosion and climate tests
Process optimisation
Planning and retrofitting paint shop
Authorisation procedure BImSchG
Extinguishing agent balance according to 31. BImSchV
Explosion protection
Total production
Certification of coating companies
Quality and quality monitoring (QUALANOD, QUALISTEELCOAT, QUALICOAT, GSK, GSB, QIB)
Environment and occupational safety (external occupational safety experts, external environmental officers, AwSV plant documentation)
Management systems (energy, quality, environment)
Fire safety (fire safety plan, fire-fighting water retention, training for fire safety assistants)
Energy efficiency (energy check, energy optimisation, waste heat register, coordination of funding projects)
Goods delivery / warehouse
Material testing
Supplier qualifications
Logistics concepts
Sales, marketing, administration
Product certificates issued by an independent body in accordance with customer requirements (MIL, NATO, Mercedes, Volkswagen, AAMA, QUALICOAT, Caterpillar, etc.)
Building envelope / structure
Coating inspection
Maintenance of steel and aluminium structures
Monitoring the execution
Corrosion protection for new buildings
Laboratory / QA
Corrosion resistance tests
Material and damage analysis
Chemical and physical tests
Mechanical tests
Expert reports and loss analyses
Fresh water and waste water system
Planning of fresh water and waste water system
Water law authorisation procedures
Exhaust air purification system
Operator obligations 42. BImSchV
Galvanising plant
Process optimisation
Planning and retrofitting electroplating plant
Authorisation procedure BImSchG
CE Declaration of Conformity
Cooling towers / cooling system
Operator obligations 42.BImSchV
Chemical storage
Planning hazardous goods and chemical storage
Planning AwSV - petrol station / delivery areas
Planning of a tank farm
