Global markets pose a major challenge for purchasing organisations working on an international level. Selecting the best providers from the vast abundance of potential suppliers is a risky, time-consuming and cost-intensive process. Companies that want to position their ranges of products and services in international sales markets have to credibly convince potential customers of their serious approach and high-quality performance.

With its initiative “GERMANQualitySourcing”, the BME, the German Association Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (AMMPL), has addressed this problem as requested by its member companies. The aim of the initiative is to bring together buyers and international companies working at a high level.

GERMANQualitySourcing promotes market transparency, establishes trust and supports business processes in the fields of purchasing and sales and marketing by using:

• Consistent global criteria
• Auditable inspection and certification processes
• Results, seals of approval and/or certificates that can be quickly and flexibly verified

The GERMANQualitySourcing procedure begins with the BMEnet basic certification. In order to obtain this basic certification, companies must have correct corporate data, certification from a recognised testing institute or a validated international supply relationship in the form of a confirmed reference, as well as sufficient language skills in English or German. It provides purchasers with a clearly defined signal that makes it easier for them to initially select suppliers and potential new suppliers.

GERMANQualitySourcing is open to other associations, international certification boards, national institutions and commercial service providers.