Proof of Expertise (Reporting Office)
§ 15(2) HinSchG — the reporting office officer must be qualified
TL;DR
§ 15(2) HinSchG requires the necessary expertise but prescribes neither its content nor a certificate. In practice, expertise comprises legal knowledge (German Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG), German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), GDPR, German Criminal Code (StGB)), procedural knowledge (investigation methods, interview techniques) and psychological competences (trauma-sensitive communication).
What is proof of expertise (reporting office)?
The term 'proof of expertise' refers to the requirement that the persons entrusted with an internal reporting office have the expertise necessary for that role. The legal basis and its design differ between Germany and Austria.
Germany
§ 15(2) HinSchG: 'Employers shall ensure that the persons entrusted with the tasks of an internal reporting office have the necessary expertise.' In addition, these persons perform their role independently (§ 15(1) HinSchG). No particular certificate or formal proof is prescribed by law — what matters is the actual expertise.
Austria
The Austrian Whistleblower Protection Act (HSchG) contains no express 'expertise' provision comparable to § 15(2) HinSchG. The requirements for the persons entrusted with the internal office follow indirectly:
- For internal offices at federal level, the qualification and training of the staff of the internal office may be laid down (§ 12(2) HSchG).
- Internal offices must handle reports impartially and without bias (§ 13(2) HSchG).
- They must be provided with the financial and human resources necessary to carry out their tasks (§ 13(1) HSchG).
Applies in Germany and Austria: whistleblower protection transposes the EU Whistleblower Directive (EU) 2019/1937; the specific design of the requirements for reporting office staff is, however, a matter of national law (DE: § 15 HinSchG · AT: §§ 12–13 HSchG).
Training offerings (in practice)
Examples of training offerings on the market (as at the first version, 2 May 2026; not a recommendation — there is no official recognition):
- EQS Integrity Group: certificate course
- WhistleB Academy: compact course
- BIS-Bundesverband Compliance: curriculum
- EthicsCheck: online course
Refresher training is recommended every 3 years and whenever there are material legislative changes (practice rhythm, not a statutory deadline).
Practical example
An HR director becomes the reporting office officer. She completes a certificate course lasting several days; the certificate of attendance evidences the training, while what matters remains her actual expertise (§ 15(2) HinSchG). The company schedules the refresher in the recommended rhythm.