The overall approach behind the Quality Label currently developed within the European Cluster Excellence Initiative is to create an independent, voluntary proof of cluster management excellence which is accepted and recognised all over Europe. The Quality label will motivate cluster managers to compare with each other and to learn from the best. The element of “mutual benchmarking” plays an important role.

The Quality Label is applicable for all different types of clusters existing all over Europe and will enable cluster managers to demonstrate their excellence towards interested third parties like members, stakeholder and policy makers. The following aspects are important to point out, in order to clarify the intention of the Label:

• The Quality Label focuses on cluster management, not on the framework conditions or a cluster as such.
• It is based on a modular set of quality indicators and a transparent process how to benchmark them.
• The Quality Label is voluntary and enables cluster managers to receive proof of their cluster management excellence by an independent third body according to clear indicators.

All in all the Quality Label will contribute to more attention on cluster management excellence. The testing phase for the Quality Label will be launched by the end of 2010. Cluster managers wishing to participate please contact: Helmut Kergel, VDI-VDE/IT, Kergel@vdivde-it.de