What are DIN Standards in Procurement?
DIN Standards are technical standards from the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) frequently referenced in public tenders as benchmarks for quality, safety, and performance.
Legal Framework
Public procurement law (§ 31 VgV, § 121 GWB) allows contracting authorities to reference technical standards in service descriptions. The equivalence clause requires adding "or equivalent."
DIN Standards Hierarchy
| Level | Example | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| International | ISO 9001 | DIN EN ISO 9001 |
| European | EN 1090 | DIN EN 1090 |
| National | DIN 4109 | DIN 4109 |
Role in Procurement
- Service description: Technical requirements defined by reference to DIN standards
- Suitability criterion: DIN certifications as qualification evidence
- Award criterion: Compliance with DIN standards as quality indicator
Important DIN Standards by Sector
Construction: DIN EN 1090, DIN 4109, DIN 18040, DIN 276.
IT: DIN EN ISO 27001, DIN 66398, DIN EN ISO 25010.
Facility Management: DIN EN ISO 41001, DIN 77400.
Equivalence Clause
Contracting authorities may not exclusively require a specific standard. Bidders can offer alternative standards if they demonstrate equivalence.
Patterno Helps
With Patterno-HIT, you can find tenders referencing specific DIN standards. Our AI identifies standard references in procurement documents.