Economic & Social Policy - vdma.org

Discover the current economic policy positions 2024 of the VDMA . The focus is on topics such as drive in change, digitalization and international competitiveness.

In the daily political debate, good arguments are the be-all and end-all. In the VDMA's brief positions you will find short statements on current controversial issues.

The EU Commission proposes postponement of the Deforestation Regulation by one year following massive criticism.

The tougher the dispute between the USA and China becomes in global trade, the greater the pressure on Europe. What will industries have to face if rules-based trade is pushed aside?

Representatives of VDMA met with Commission officials from DG GROW, CONNECT and JUST to discuss reducing bureaucracy for SMEs, late payments, the EU Data Act and liability.

Obligation to submit the LkSG report for the 2023 financial year is again extended to 31.12.2025 by the government draft of the CSRD Implementation Act in order to avoid double reporting obligations for companies under the LkSG and CSRD.

The EU rightly wants to put the structure of its budget to the test. Scarce resources must be managed efficiently, innovation and competitiveness must be at the top of the agenda.

Companies have the opportunity to participate in a BMAS dialog series on fair supply chains. The kick-off event will take place on November 11, 2024 in Berlin.

In this exclusive publication, we present Kamala Harris’s trade policy agenda and provide an assessment of the potential impact on machinery and equipment manufacturers.

The planned amendment to the Residence Act is complicated and legally questionable. It would be simpler to remove the ban on temporary employment agencies in the immigration of skilled workers.

Excessive bureaucracy is one of the most annoying issues for SMEs. A planned small-scale reduction in regulation is just a drop in the ocean.

The contribution increases announced in Pension Package II mean further burdens for the economy. The younger generations and employers are expected to solve problems that politicians are not addressing strategically.

On the occasion of the adopted regulations on digital tax assessments, Dr. Johannes Gernandt, Head of the VDMA's Tax Department, explains:

On September 12, 2024, the Executive Board of VDMA NRW met at LEMKEN GmbH & Co. KG. The agenda included the political representation of interests and the current economic situation in the mechanical engineering sector.

The draft for the Tax Reform Act has both light and shade. The fact is: Germany needs relief for the economy. Now.

Together with other business and employers' associations, the VDMA has sent a letter to Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil in which they make it clear that they reject political intervention in the setting of the minimum wage.

The EU Deforestation Regulation is a prime example of well-intentioned but poorly implemented regulation. It must be postponed and fundamentally revised.

Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technology offers a promising opportunity to reduce unavoidable CO₂ quantities. This involves not only capturing carbon dioxide, but also reusing it as a valuable raw material in industry.

The new research allowance is becoming increasingly popular in the mechanical engineering sector. The Federal Ministry of Finance has now issued an important statement regarding the application deadlines for previous years.

Tax money for the scrappage scheme is not being put to good use. It would be better to use it at the beginning of the value chain in production research. This would benefit jobs and technologies.

Good salaries are paid in mechanical engineering - even in companies without collective bargaining agreements. A collective bargaining law would only be another unnecessary burden.

VDMA hopes for a breakthrough: a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Indonesia can significantly advance the European mechanical engineering industry in Southeast Asia.

The deforestation regulation forces us to act.

Brandenburg has written an economic success story. In the future, it will continue to need a state policy that attracts investment and skilled workers and does not create a climate of fear.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is currently valid for some countries and will be extended to European countries from 2 April 2025. Here are the current country overviews.

On November 14, 2024, the VDMA and the Corporate Learning Community are organizing a BarCamp on the topic of "Artificial Intelligence in the World of Work" in Frankfurt am Main.

India wants to become a major economic power. The government is promoting growth with numerous measures. But locally, the paths to new business can be tortuous.

Transformation will only succeed if the framework conditions for Germany as an industrial location are improved. Reforms must not be put on the back burner any longer.

The "Draghi Report" rightly emphasizes how important economic success is for Europe. Open markets and free trade in particular are essential for companies.

The Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) published the new funding guideline "Federal Funding for Industry and Climate Protection (BIK)" on August 23.

VDMA HealthTech provides information on research topics in medical technology and the entire industrial healthcare sector, as well as on current guidelines for funding projects and the general framework conditions.

Bureaucracy holds back innovation and investment in the machinery and plant engineering sector. 

In view of the shortage of skilled workers, incentives to work longer are very welcome in the mechanical engineering sector. However, the planned "pension deferral bonus" is far too complex.

The new European Parliament is in place. This is a good opportunity to actively draw the attention of the new Members of the European Parliament to the bureaucracy surrounding the posting of workers.

The Mercosur states are on the move and Europe can benefit from this. That is why the EU's free trade agreement with Mercosur must finally come into force.

When it comes to issuing an operating permit (ABE or individual approval), the harmonized EU type approval law will generally apply to mechanical engineering from 1 November 2024.

In Saxony and Thuringia, constructive political majorities must now be found that are committed to a good location policy.

Employment subject to social insurance contributions in industry is falling significantly. All the more reason why political reforms are now needed to kick-start the growth initiative.

The "Produktives.NRW" competition call supports investments in critical technologies in the areas of digital innovations, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient technologies and biotechnology in NRW.

A well-retained, motivated and productive workforce also strengthens the company's image. It helps to avoid high fluctuation costs and secures expertise.

The US election campaign is in full swing. What if Donald Trump becomes president again? A VDMA analysis looks at the potential impact on trade policy.

The state elections in Saxony and Thuringia are also a crossroads for the mechanical engineering industry. LV Ost Chairman Alexander Jakschik and VDMA President Karl Haeusgen warn against compartmentalization.

The time-limited funding for the decarbonization of SMEs is the right thing to do. It will enable innovations to be brought to market more quickly.

Mechanical engineering is indispensable for a European circular economy. The Circular Economy Act is an important building block, but it must not end in the minutiae of regulation.

Donald Trump has promised to impose new tariffs on all European imports. This and other trade policy promises are set out in an exclusive publication for members.

Since 1 July 2024 work assignments in the Czech Republic must be reported via an online reporting platform. The procedure is complex and many rules are still unclear.

The German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) provides information on the possibility for companies to provide evidence of their efforts to obtain data on CBAM goods and the use of its discretionary powers in the assessment of CBAM reports

The German government's planned funding cuts in climate financing are the wrong signal, especially for the planned development of a hydrogen economy.

5,200 jobs have been lost in mechanical and plant engineering since the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, the shortage of skilled workers remains high due to the demographic challenge. What is needed now are structural reforms to secure skilled workers.

The economic policy direction of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's guidelines is right. However, a broader strategy to strengthen Europe as a business location for all companies is still missing.