The German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (BVMW) and the accreditation agency ASIIN e.V. have agreed on a close cooperation, formalized through reciprocal institutional memberships. Since the beginning of 2026, the BVMW is officially a new member of ASIIN. This marks the first systematic collaboration between the largest politically independent SME association and a leading international quality assurance agency.

The partnership aims to enhance the quality, permeability, and viability of vocational and higher education. In particular, the competency needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are to be increasingly integrated into new educational formats, as well as into methods and procedures for quality assurance.

For ASIIN, the cooperation represents an important expansion of the corporate perspective within its activities. The specific requirements of SMEs thus gain dedicated recognition—also in the context of lifelong learning, modular educational offerings, and international qualifications. Together, BVMW and ASIIN aim to further intensify the exchange between business and education and contribute to sustainable skilled workforce development.