Economic & Social Policy - vdma.org

From the VDMA's point of view, visa policy and technical interfaces are among the top issues for 2025 in order to strengthen German-Brazilian economic relations.

The EU omnibus package is intended to significantly reduce the burden on companies. This applies in particular to the limitation of due diligence obligations to direct business partners. The EU must not be dissuaded from this course.

Chinese companies often enjoy competition-distorting advantages and subsidies. In a new position paper, the VDMA makes demands on German and European politicians to counteract these disadvantages.

Europe's vulnerability in terms of security of supply is becoming increasingly clear. The VDMA is calling for a consistent European raw materials strategy that also relies on its own technologies.

The publication provides an overview of CECE's activities. It shows the topics with which the CECE is involved at European and international level.

The new Chinese export controls on rare earths and some products made from them are increasingly becoming a massive problem. China cannot keep up with issuing the export licenses that are now required.

We always report on changes to major embargoes or embargo changes with significant relevance for mechanical and plant engineering at short notice. Here is an overview of less relevant embargo changes since January 2025.

The tabular VDMA overview "Country-related embargoes" makes it easy to find out which countries are currently subject to EU embargo measures and what the current status of the embargo texts is.

VDMA Managing Director Dr. Tobias Ehrhard in conversation with Christian Dreyer, Managing Partner of Amazonen-Werke H. Dreyer SE & Co. KG.

The global business situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains mixed. While India and Brazil are impressing with good figures, China is struggling with structural challenges. The USA is characterized by the latest tariff policy.

With effect from May 29, 2025, the EU has largely, but not completely, lifted its sanctions against Syria. This is in response to the change in US policy towards Syria announced by President Trump in Saudi Arabia.

The EU-Commission has announced that it will withdraw the proposal for a Directive on AI liability. VDMA is calling on the EU-Commission to take the necessary steps.

Bundesfinanzministerium legt Referentenentwurf für ein steuerliches Investitionssofortprogramm 2025 vor Die neue Bundesregierung will die steuerlichen Investitionsbedingungen zügig verbessern. Der nun vorgelegte Referentenentwurf (Anlage) soll wichti

The federal government's planned immediate tax investment program sends important signals to the economy. The improvement in the research allowance in particular is good news.

On 21 May 2025, the EU Commission presented a fourth omnibus package to reduce the annual administrative costs for companies. It also provides for simplifications in the implementation of data protection for certain companies.

The Council has adopted its negotiating mandate on the eDeclaration. This is a first step towards less bureaucracy in the area of posting of workers.

The EU-Commission has presented a Single Market strategy and focuses on removing the 10 most harmful obstacles, including barriers to the posting of workers.

Non-wage labor costs must be significantly reduced, only then can more employment be expected. this requires a real structural reform in the social security branches.

SMEs suffer particularly from the high bureaucratic burden. A recent study shows that the costs of regulations can even exceed the ROI. Information obligations and occupational health and safety requirements are particularly burdensome.

It is right to combine the topic of startups and scaleups with an EU strategy. After all, startups drive Europe's innovative strength and future viability.

Letters of credit or advance payment are not very attractive in a competitive environment. Credit insurance for payment terms is an alternative. These are also an entry into export financing.

The EU and the United Kingdom have decided to enter into a dialog on the entry and stay of persons for business purposes. The VDMA hopes that this will facilitate work assignments in the United Kingdom.

The majority of mechanical engineering companies are increasingly uncertain about the US market. An agreement on tariffs between the EU and the USA is now needed quickly. For the benefit of both sides.

A lack of new buildings, stalled refurbishment projects and rising costs are making the transformation of existing buildings towards climate neutrality more difficult. Viable concepts and a simplification of construction and approval practices are needed.

The CO2 border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) should be simplified. This is also urgently needed: Small and medium-sized companies in particular must be exempted.

The EU provides consolidated versions of its sanctions regulations. In the case of the Russia sanctions, the consolidated legal texts have now been updated to the 16th sanctions package.

Did you miss the last Regul8 of the Conveyor Technology and Intralogistics Association? No problem, you can watch the two presentations on CSRD again here.

On May 20, 2025, the EU published its 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The measures (5 amending regulations) all come into force on May 21, 2025. Some of the tightened sanctions are also relevant for the mechanical and plant engineering industry.

The EU internal market needs ambitious reforms. The EU internal market strategy aims to improve Europe's competitiveness, but remains too vague in detail.

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is sending out important industrial policy signals: reducing bureaucracy, tax incentives for investments and easier company start-ups. Now implementation must begin quickly.

This was the motto of the VDMA Energy Networking Day held in Frankfurt on May 7 and 8. Around 80 members from several trade associations came together to discuss strategically relevant issues relating to energy and climate policy.

EU Commissioner Séjourné signals a change in policy to strengthen companies. What is needed is a drastic simplification of EU legislation, the completion of the internal market and more trade agreements.

Leading industry associations are urging the rapid implementation of hybrid offshore connections for the production of hydrogen.

With its new position paper, VDMA Building Technology appeals to politicians to set the right course for a sustainable and competitive turnaround in construction and modernization.

The EU-Commission launches public consultations on possible countermeasures in response to Trump's introduction of “reciprocal” tariffs and tariffs on cars and car parts from the EU.

Companies in Germany urgently need relief, also in terms of labor market regulations. Switching to a maximum weekly working time would be an important step towards more flexibility.

The new Trump tariffs are not only raising costs for the machinery sector, but creating confusion and uncertainty among manufacturers that export to the United States.

Friedrich Merz becomes Federal Chancellor at a particularly challenging time economically and socially. In the first 100 days, the course must be set for growth and competitiveness.

The Centre for European Policy provides a good overview of the current state of the German energy sector with reference to natural gas and hydrogen as important energy sources and formulates recommendations for policy makers

The EU internal market must be standardized and deepened. The points on the EU internal market strategy that have now become known in advance sound promising. This applies in particular to the "think-small first" approach.

In the days leading up to Easter, there were a number of developments in the ESG area, from "Stop the Clock" to EUDR guidelines. We provide a brief overview and comment on the statements on the LkSG in the coalition agreement.

Germany brings up the rear of the industrialized nations in terms of forecast economic growth. Reforms are also needed in the labor market, which can be perceived as painful.

A division of the German electricity bidding zone would be a drastic change to the system and would call into question many projects that have already been initiated. Rapid and consistent grid expansion is crucial in order to counter existing system bottlenecks.

MarLEN, a new European initiative to promote maritime innovation, was launched at the beginning of 2025. Annual calls for funding are planned.

Many companies are still facing bottlenecks in the recruitment of young talent. The VDMA is therefore launching the "Weeks of Technology" together with its members and universities.

The amendment to the German Federal Emission Protection Ordinance (4th BImSchV) by the German legislator brings clarity and relief both for the placing on the market of smaller electrolysers below 5 MW and for large-scale plants.

In light of Trump’s tariffs, analysts highlight ASEAN’s risks from trade tensions but remain optimistic about the region's resilience. Singapore’s semiconductor industry stays cautious, exporters diversify suppliers and customers amid uncertainties.

No economic growth, an ageing society and rising expenditure and contributions: The challenges in labor market and social policy could hardly be greater.

The future of pension funding is the biggest gap in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. Unpopular measures are also needed to make pensions fit for the future.

The Shanghai-Germany Manufacturing Industry Exchange Dialogue was held on April 1, 2025, at Hannover Messe, co-organized by the Shanghai Municipal Government and VDMA.