Stiftung Warentest is a German consumer organisation and foundation involved in investigating and comparing goods and services in an unbiased way.

In contrast, bad ratings and verdicts frequently lead to a decline in sales and thus sometimes legal action against SW by the manufacturers.

Stiftung Warentest carries out more than 200 comparative product tests and investigations of services from nearly all areas of everyday life every year.

Since 2002, products and services on special limited offer, mainly by the discount retailer chains, have also been investigated every week and the results quickly published.

Market researchers and scientific staff are employed by Stiftung Warentest with the responsibility for selecting the products and services and the carrying out of the investigations.

After the tests and the evaluations have been completed, but before publication, details of the objective results are sent to the respective manufacturers and providers for verification and so that they can make their comments.

Downloading information costs between 75 cents and €2.50 for detailed investigation results, and a maximum of €5 for comprehensive product databases.

This results in the following categories for the overall verdicts on the quality of goods and services: In accordance with its statutes, Stiftung Warentest has its premises in Berlin, and there are three bodies which are responsible for different areas.