A certificate of good conduct (Fuehrungszeugnis) is an official record of criminal convictions issued by the Federal Office of Justice in Germany. As part of background checks, employers may request an extended certificate, particularly for security-sensitive positions.
ISO 27001 Annex A (A.6.1) requires background checks before hiring, proportional to the protection needs of the position. In Germany, the certificate of good conduct is the standard instrument for this purpose. It is common practice for positions with access to confidential data, financial systems, or critical infrastructure. The requirement must be proportionate and comply with data protection law. The check is recorded in the personnel file, but the certificate itself is not retained permanently.