Apply for equivalence of a qualification according to the Hazardous Substances Ordinance

If you wish to have your previously acquired qualification in the field of hazardous substances recognized as equivalent to expertise, you must provide proof of equivalence to the competent authority.

Would you like to obtain a qualification in the field of hazardous substances that is comparable to a certificate of competence?

You can have this recognized as equivalent by the competent authority within the framework of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, for example through vocational training or further training.

You also have this option if you have acquired a corresponding qualification abroad.

For recognition, you must submit evidence that proves your equivalent qualification.

The regional council in Kassel is responsible.

Please contact the Specialist Center for Product Safety and Hazardous Substances of the Kassel Regional Council.

• Proof of existing qualification, notarized and in German
• Content and scope of the qualification
• Certificate or proof
• Proof that the training and further education is officially recognized
• Proof that the examination was carried out in the presence of a representative of the authorities
• Proof that the acquisition of expertise builds on existing expertise
  

The application can be made informally.

• The following is important for skilled self-employed activities:
  • The person must have specialist knowledge or the ability to carry out certain activities.
  • They must provide written proof of their specialist knowledge or qualification.
    Only then will the person receive permission to carry out certain activities in the profession. The document containing this authorization is called a certificate of competence.
  • The person receives a certificate of competence as an official document as proof of expertise.
    A person may also have acquired the specialist knowledge in their profession. In this case, the vocational training is just as valid as the certificate of competence.
• The competent authority can also check whether a foreign qualification can be recognized for a certificate of competence.
• Submit the required documents and evidence electronically or by post to the competent authority.
• Proof of qualified training or further training that is comparable to the required expertise for the planned activities and uses.
• Proof of foreign qualifications in German, in certified form.
  

§ Section 2 (16) of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV)

The legal remedy will be communicated in the notification.

In the recognition procedure, the documents submitted are compared with the necessary requirements. The competent body uses defined criteria (e.g. duration, content (e.g. technical rules for hazardous substances)) to assess whether the documents submitted are comparable with the corresponding expertise applied for in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance.

The result can be full, partial or no equivalence and is recorded in a decision.
In many cases, in the case of partial recognition, the content still required can be made up for, e.g. by taking a corresponding examination at a suitable organization.

The application documents are checked by the competent authority.

The authority will contact you if there are any additional requirements or questions.
If necessary, the competent authority will arrange a meeting with you to clarify further details.

Notification of the decision and request for payment.

There are no statutory deadlines to take into account.

Shortly after receipt of application

Fees and expenses are incurred.

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research