The Fraunhofer IWU in Chemnitz is set to play a crucial role in accelerating the manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cells by testing and evaluating their performance and critical properties starting from October 2025. Led by Dr. Carmen Meuser, the team aims to enhance the ramp-up of fuel cell manufacturing through thorough testing of essential components like cooling units, water separators, and pumps. The initiative Referenzfabrik.H2 focuses on manufacturing technologies to optimize production processes for electrolyzers and fuel cells, making them suitable for large-scale production by reducing costs. The testing programs at IWU will ensure quality assurance and efficiency, with a particular emphasis on early alignment of materials and production strategies. The expansion of test infrastructure at IWU sites in Chemnitz and Görlitz includes new test benches for fuel cells and electrolyzers, supporting material analysis and performance evaluation. Additionally, the Hydrogen Lab Görlitz will focus on hydrogen production and storage, featuring test benches for electrolyzers of various power classes. The Chemnitz region, with institutions like Chemnitz University of Technology and Fraunhofer Institutes IWU and ENAS, is at the forefront of hydrogen research in Europe, aiming to develop scalable hydrogen systems and a sustainable hydrogen economy. The Hydrogen Innovation Center in Chemnitz will further contribute to the local hydrogen infrastructure by offering testing, certification, and training services, fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the hydrogen technology cluster.