Abstract – The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is Germany’s leading governmental scientific institution in the field of biomedicine and moreover one of the most essential bodies for the safeguarding of public health. It issues independent recommendations for medical specialists, state and local health authorities and the federal government. Furthermore, there is a brisk exchange of information and advice with its partner countries, for instance to improve preparing disease outbreaks and health crises. In conclusion the Robert Koch Institute contributes to health protection not only in Germany, but across the world. Citizens, medical specialists, state and local health authorities as well as the federal government and partner countries need to rely on it.
This paper shall give an overview of the quality management (QM) and its features at the RKI as a federal institution as well as of the latest crucial issues and achievements. It is supposed to give an insight and stress the importance of quality and its assurance in a national research and health institute. It explains how the institute gains reliability and credibility for its services and recommendations of national and even global significance.

Keywords – IMEKO, TC10, Robert Koch Institute; quality management system; flexible scope of accreditation