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Celebrating 100 Years of DEKRA: A Century of Safety in a Changing World

On June 30, 2025, DEKRA proudly marks its centennial, reflecting on a hundred years of commitment to safety, sustainability, and digital trust. The organization has evolved significantly since its inception in 1925 when it first offered voluntary vehicle inspections in Berlin. Today, DEKRA is a global leader with a workforce of 48,000 employees across approximately 60 countries, all dedicated to ensuring safety and trust in an ever-evolving world.

What started with vehicle inspections has expanded into a diverse portfolio that includes mobility, industry, environment, and digital technologies. DEKRA’s extensive offerings now encompass testing for both physical and digital products, showcasing how the company adapts its expertise to match the complexities of modern safety and trust.

DEKRA's Historical Milestones

To understand DEKRA's impact, one must look at its historical milestones. The mandatory periodic vehicle inspections introduced in Germany in 1951 saw DEKRA playing an instrumental role in the establishment and implementation of safety standards for mobility. By the 1960s and 1970s, DEKRA expanded its mission to include education and research—initiating the founding of DEKRA Akademie in 1974 and an R&D department in 1968. These advancements reflect DEKRA’s commitment to not just compliance, but also to progressive learning, as evidenced by the establishment of its Accident Research department in 1978, aimed at leveraging data for better safety insights.

After the reunification of Germany, DEKRA integrated the responsibilities of the former East German vehicle authority, further enhancing its inspection framework in the newly established federal states. This was a pivotal moment that paved the way for DEKRA’s international growth, as the company ventured into markets like France, Spain, China, and the United States. This strategic move marked the transition from a national to a global perspective—maintaining robust roots while expanding worldwide.

Looking Toward the Future

Under the leadership of CEO Stan Zurkiewicz, DEKRA continuously emphasizes that safety is dynamic and must evolve alongside societal transformations. Recently, the focus has shifted to areas that are critical for future advancement: mobility innovation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. DEKRA has rallied behind its anniversary motto, **