The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is a technical and scientific senior federal institute under the authority of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). BAM is responsible for the performance and evaluation of physical and chemical testing of substances and constructions including provision of reference methods and reference materials, the advancement of safety and reliability in chemical and materials technologies and special tasks according to the Explosives Act, the Weapons Act and the Transport of Dangerous Goods Act.