DEKRA TESTING AND CERTIFICATION SAU

Their core work

DEKRA Testing and Certification SAU is the Spanish arm of DEKRA, one of the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) organizations. In H2020 projects, they provide independent testing, benchmarking, and certification expertise for digital infrastructure — particularly 5G networks, connected vehicle systems, and security-critical software. Their role is to ensure that emerging technologies meet performance, safety, and interoperability standards before deployment, acting as the quality assurance layer between R&D outputs and market-ready products.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

DEKRA's early H2020 work (2016-2018) centered on foundational telecom infrastructure — benchmarking 5G applications (TRIANGLE), designing pan-European mobile research networks (EuWireless), and certifying security for embedded systems (certMILS). From 2018 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward connected mobility and automotive data ecosystems, with 5G-MOBIX and 5GMETA applying their testing expertise to real-world vehicle connectivity and data monetization scenarios. The trajectory shows a clear move from general telecom testing toward the specific intersection of 5G, autonomous vehicles, and data governance.

DEKRA is positioning itself as a go-to certification and validation partner for the connected and autonomous vehicle sector, where 5G infrastructure meets automotive data governance.

How they like to work

DEKRA consistently joins as a participant, never coordinating — which fits their role as an independent testing and certification body embedded in larger consortia. With 92 unique partners across 19 countries from just 5 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia (averaging 18+ partners per project). This signals an organization comfortable integrating into complex multi-partner setups, providing specialized validation services without seeking to drive the research agenda.

Broad European network spanning 92 unique partners across 19 countries, built through participation in large-scale Innovation Action consortia. Their connections are spread widely rather than concentrated in any single country or cluster.

What sets them apart

DEKRA brings something rare to H2020 consortia: independent, accredited testing and certification capability from one of the world's largest TIC companies. While many partners contribute research or technology development, DEKRA validates that outputs actually work and meet standards. For consortium builders, this means having a credible certification pathway built into the project from day one — a significant advantage when planning exploitation and market uptake.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 5G-MOBIX
  Large-scale Innovation Action on cross-border 5G corridors for automated driving — directly aligned with EU transport policy priorities and real-world deployment.
• TRIANGLE
  Their highest-funded project (EUR 388,500), focused on creating standardized benchmarking frameworks for 5G applications and devices.
• certMILS
  Only non-digital-sector project, tackling security certification for safety-critical systems — shows their breadth beyond telecom into cybersecurity assurance.