Who is authorised to use the federal coat of arms?

The national symbols may be used only by federal agencies. In addition to the federal coat of arms and the federal eagle, these symbols include the federal seal and the federal institutions flag. 

Using a federal symbol without the approval of the competent authority constitutes a regulatory offence pursuant to section 124 (1) of the Act on Regulatory Offences (OWiG) which is punishable by a fine. The same applies with regard to symbols that are similar enough to be confused with the symbols referred to above (section 124 (2) of the Act on Regulatory Offences).