KÖTTER becomes the first German provider – and one of only a few in Europe – to be certified across the entire EN 17483 system published to date. 

• EN 17483-1 (General Requirements),
• EN 17483-2 (Aviation Security Services), and
• EN 17483-3 (Maritime and Port Security Services),

These certifications were carried out alongside assessments under DIN 77200 Parts 1 and 2, which further demonstrate the company’s broad commitment to high standards across all areas of security service delivery.

A Milestone for Standards-Based Quality in Security

The EN 17483 standard series, developed by CEN Technical Committee 439 (chaired by CoESS Director General Catherine Piana), provides a certifiable framework for private security companies delivering services to critical infrastructure operators. The general and sector-specific standards cover quality criteria in management, personnel, service delivery, and training. By complying with these standards, private security providers offer reassurance to public and private customers alike that they are professional, accountable, and capable of meeting the complex requirements of modern-day CIP.

“We warmly welcome the certification of KÖTTER Security to the EN 17483 standards,” said Catherine Piana. “This is precisely the kind of recognition we envisioned when we started developing the standard system nearly a decade ago — to make visible those providers that deliver on professionalism and quality. At a time when threats to critical infrastructure are increasingly complex, standards like EN 17483 are more than technical tools: they are a strategic lever for buyers to make quality-based procurement decisions, in line with our advocacy at EU level.”

Relevance for EU Policy and Public Procurement

The EN 17483 system directly supports implementation of the EU Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive, by offering a common European benchmark for security service procurement in sensitive environments. As discussions continue on the revision of the EU Public Procurement Directive, CoESS advocates for a shift away from price-only selection criteria — and towards procurement practices that prioritise quality, and thus enhanced protection and resilience.

KÖTTER Security’s action demonstrates what this vision looks like in practice: a provider that invests in staff training, quality management, and procedural rigour — and has this validated through independent certification.