Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing

The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung), or BAM, is a German research institute in the field of materials science.

History
Its historical origins start in 1871, a year in which Germany was unified, as the Mechanisch-Technische Versuchsanstalt. From 1904–19 there was the Königliches Materialprüfungsamt. From 1920–45 there was the Staatliches Materialprüfungsamt (MPA) and from 1919–45 there was the Chemisch-Technische Reichsanstalt (CTR).

In 1954 the Bundesanstalt für mechanische und chemische Materialprüfung was formed, becoming the Bundesanstalt für Materialprüfung in 1956. In 1969 it became a government agency (Bundesoberbehörde). In 1986 the name changed to Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung.

Function
Within the interconnected fields of materials, chemistry, environment, and safety, the main areas are:
 * Statutory functions relating to technical safety in the public domain, especially as regards dangerous materials and substances
 * Collaboration in developing statutory regulations, for example on safety standards and threshold values
 * Advising the Federal Government and industry on safety aspects of materials and chemical technology
 * The development and supply of reference materials and methods, in particular for chemical analysis and materials testing
 * Assisting in the development of standards and technical regulations for the evaluation of substances, materials, structures, and processes with reference to damage prediction and preservation of national economic values.

Structure
It is owned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Its competences are to improve safety in technology and chemistry through research and development, testing, analysis, approvals, advice, and information.

The headquarters in Berlin are near the Berlin Botanischer Garten station.

Departments
The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing is subdivided into departments and divisions. The staff sums up to about 1700 members.
 * Department 1: Analytical chemistry, Reference materials
 * Department 2: Chemical safety engineering
 * Department 3: Containment systems for dangerous goods; Energy storage
 * Department 4: Materials and the environment
 * Department 5: Materials engineering
 * Department 6: Materials chemistry
 * Department 7: Safety of structures
 * Department 8: Non-destructive testing
 * Department 9: Component safety
 * Department S: Quality infrastructure
 * Department Z: Central services