The 79 German Chambers of Commerce and Industry are public-law institutions whose work is based on the IHK Act. They represent the interests of the commercial economy in their respective regions and ensure that companies find reliable frameworks, qualified professionals, and clear legal processes. Every commercial enterprise is fundamentally a member—from small startups to internationally active medium-sized companies. The statutory membership—excluding craft enterprises, liberal professions, and agricultural businesses—ensures that the IHKs represent all industries and business sizes equally and act independently of individual interests.

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Core Tasks

At the heart of IHK work lies the representation of economic interests in the regional context. They consolidate the concerns of local businesses and bring them into municipal and state political decision-making processes. Often, this involves topics such as securing skilled workers, energy and transport infrastructure, location development, or improving administrative processes. Locally, IHKs work to enhance transport connections or ensure that young people and companies find each other more easily in vocational training. This role provides the economy with a constant and independent voice locally.

Of great importance is also the involvement in the dual training system. As the responsible body, the IHKs organize vocational and continuing education examinations, advise businesses and trainees, and ensure that nationwide uniform quality standards are maintained. This significantly contributes to securing skilled workers and the competitiveness of Germany as a location. One of their most visible tasks is taking the examinations of apprentices and qualifying young professionals.

An additional key task is the performance of sovereign functions. The IHKs issue certificates of origin and other foreign trade documents and participate in approval procedures. These tasks provide legal reliability—especially for export-oriented companies that rely on robust processes.

In addition, the IHKs offer comprehensive consulting and service solutions. Entrepreneurs receive swift and targeted support on questions concerning taxes, law, training, innovations, digitalization, financing, or business succession. The advice is independent and not commercially oriented, providing many companies with a neutral basis for decision-making. Furthermore, the IHKs connect businesses with regional partners from administration, science, and economy, fostering exchange, cooperation, and innovation.

Regional Strength and Proximity to Business

The IHKs deliberately operate decentrally to reflect Germany's economic diversity. Each region has its own framework conditions, industry structures, and challenges—from industrially strong centers to rural economic locations. Due to their proximity to businesses, the IHKs can respond quickly, develop tailored offers, and consider regional particularities in political advocacy.

For businesses, the work of the IHKs primarily means reliability. They benefit from clear processes, independent advice, and a wide range of support that helps them navigate an increasingly complex economic environment.

Democratic Structure and Membership

The IHKs are democratically organized. Members elect their General Assembly—the so-called Entrepreneur Parliament, where each business has one vote regardless of its size. This principle ensures that all industries and business forms are equally represented and that the IHK's tasks align with the overall interest of the economy.

Companies pay a mandatory contribution based on their economic performance. This financing ensures that the IHKs operate independently of state influence or individual interests. It also enables economic, neutral, and accessible consulting and service offerings for everyone.

Transparency of the IHK Organization

With IHKtransparent, a central information platform is available, providing comprehensive insights into the structure and working methods of the IHK organization. The portal contains current figures, data, and facts about the setup, voluntary engagement, products, services, and financing of the IHKs. Businesses and the public get a clear overview of how the chambers work and what contribution they make to the economy. IHKtransparent enhances transparency and clearly shows how the IHKs fulfill their legal mandate.