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European Office

The VDMA in Brussels - Your Bridge between Business and Politics

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European Office
We mediate between business and politics: We inform our member companies about political developments at an early stage and we are a competent contact for decision-makers.

The VDMA office in Brussels sees itself as a bridge between business and politics. The association informs its member companies at an early stage about political developments that affect mechanical engineering. For the decision-makers in Brussels, the VDMA is a competent contact with in-depth knowledge of mechanical engineering, so that legislation does not bypass the reality in the companies.

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Current news

Current news
VDMA supports the withdrawal of the proposal on AI liability

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.

eDeclaration: Adoption of the negotiating mandate by the Council

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.

EU-Commission publishes the biggest barriers in the Single Market

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.

"Startups are the litmus test for the EU's simplification plans"

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.

Dialogue on entry and stay for business purposes

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.

"CBAM must be significantly simplified"

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

"Show more ambition and strengthen market surveillance"

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

"The EU Commission's policy change is right and was overdue"

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.

New EU counter tariffs: take part in the consultation!

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.

Pleasing first quarter

The first quarter of 2025 resulted in an overall increase in orders of 4% - the first positive quarterly balance of orders in three years. March also closed with a pleasing increase in orders of 4%.

"The EU Commission is finally getting its act together"

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.

VDMA continues to advocate for easier posting of workers

VDMA has met with the EU Member States, the EU-Commission and the EU-Parliament to campaign for the eDeclaration. If adopted, this would be an important first step towards reducing bureaucracy.

"Seizing the opportunities of industrial AI"

The EU's action plan emphasizes the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. There is a lot of potential for AI, especially in industrial applications. Small-scale regulations must not stand in the way of this.

The green, competitive successor

The new Clean Industrial Deal seeks to answer the industry calls for competitiveness as the successor of the EU Green Deal?

Regul8: Insight EU Policy

Did you miss the last Regul8 of the Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association? No problem, you can watch the presentation on current EU policy again here.

"Stop the Clock for sustainability reporting is essential"

Good news from Brussels: the suspension of several reporting obligations gives companies the capacity to act in order to focus on important areas of transformation.

VDMA analysis of the Free Trade Agreement

VDMA has conducted an initial analysis of the Mercosur agreement. This Free Trade Agreement is an important signal against isolationism and in favor of open markets in the current tense geopolitical situation.

European Policy Reception: Focus on EU-US Trade Relations

For the 15th time, VDMA organised the European Policy Reception together with Deutsche Messe. This year, one thing is clear: everything revolves around how to deal with US President Trump, because a trade war benefits no one.

New challenges create new opportunities

More than 250 leaders in machinery and equipment manufacturing from across Europe came to Amsterdam on 17 and 18 March 2025 to discuss geopolitics, new markets, innovation and the shortage of labour.

AM and Advanced Manufacturing in Brussels

On March 4, 2025, representatives of the additive manufacturing industry from seven European countries will meet with the Parliament and the Commission in Brussels

"Defence capability is based on a strong industry"

Europe's defense industry needs efficient value chains for components and production technologies. The European mechanical and plant engineering industry will play a key role here.

"Mastering uncertain times with European networks"

The machinery and equipment industry in Europe can hold its own in the face of increasingly tough global competition - if the promised relief comes and companies push ahead with their transformation.

"EU must tackle the causes of competitive disadvantages"

The objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal are fundamentally correct. However, EU policy must urgently improve the conditions in Europe across the board. Not only the symptoms of crisis industries must be treated.

"No compromises – the economy needs a clear reduction in bureaucracy"

The EU seems to have its sights set on cutting red tape. The announced proposal to simplify regulations must therefore include concrete improvements for companies. That is what matters now.

"‘The Commission is talking to the wrong companies!"

The EU's planned omnibus regulation could simplify three particularly burdensome sets of rules for companies. However, the EU needs to talk much more with small and medium-sized enterprises.

"Companies need swift relief and less red tape!"

Companies are waiting for the promised relief from the EU Commission. Quick and clear measures are now needed to strengthen the competitiveness of industry.

The most important VDMA demands for the Free Trade Agreement

The EU and the Philippines announced the resumption of trade negotiations in 2024. VDMA prepared a document with the most important demands for the negotiating teams, e.g. the abolition of all tariffs.

VDMA position: Relief from ESG regulations in EU Omnibus Regulation

With the Omnibus Regulation, Commission President von der Leyen wants to consolidate, reduce and simplify various ESG reporting obligations. The VDMA welcomes the initiative and is submitting specific proposals for improvement.

“No cherry-picking of industries”

The EU is committed to a more competitive Europe. A strategy for European industry must not get lost in individual aids, but must fundamentally strengthen Europe as a business location.

"A wake-up call for a united Europe!"

Donald Trump's economic program could be a test of strength for Europe. This makes it all the more important that the EU now acts as one, especially on trade issues.

Activities on foreign trade in Brussels and Berlin 2024

Overview of the VDMA's foreign trade policy activities in 2024 - a review of the year

"Finally tackle obstacles and put national interests aside"

The European single market urgently needs reforms to improve and deepen it. Small and medium-sized companies are particularly dependent on this.

EU-Switzerland agreement stands on shaky ground

At the end of 2024, Switzerland and the EU managed to redefine their relations. It is questionable whether the necessary referendum in Switzerland will accept the rules.

"EU must urgently relieve companies"

The European Deforestation Regulation is being postponed - an important measure to ease the burden on companies. Other EU regulations must now also be put to the test as part of the omnibus regulation.

"The last chance for the Free Trade Agreement!"

The EU's free trade agreement with Mercosur must finally be signed at the summit in Uruguay. This could save the EU alone 4 billion euros a year in customs duties.

"Simplify the regulations without taboos!"

The EU Commission President wants to ease the burden on industry in Europe by simplifying regulations. There must be no taboos, even hard-won compromises must be tackled anew.

"Europe's industry needs swift and concrete action!"

The new EU Commission can begin its work on December 1. Europe's industry now needs quick decisions to strengthen its competitiveness.

The eDeclaration is a necessary step towards reducing bureaucracy

The EU-Commission has given the go-ahead for a single EU-wide digital declaration portal for the posting of workers. VDMA expressly welcomes this first step towards reducing bureaucracy.

"The eDeclaration is an urgent step towards reducing bureaucracy"

he posting of employees in Europe must not be a bureaucratic madness. The EU Commission's proposal for an eDeclaration is right, but further measures must follow.

"Dombrovskis dossier is important - he must deliver"

Valdis Dombrovskis is to take on a decisive portfolio in the EU Commission. There are still no concrete proposals for better regulation that could signal real change.

"Don’t wait - start better regulation now!"

Companies in Europe need significant relief quickly: less bureaucracy and laws that can also be implemented in practice. A VDMA position paper.

VDMA promotes Free Trade Agreements with MEPs

VDMA met with MEPs to promote free trade. VDMA emphasized the importance of Free Trade Agreements for our industry.

The signature of the trade agreement between EFTA and India

The four states of the European Free Trade Association and India have signed a trade and economic partnership agreement. If they can do it, why can't the EU?

Heavy seas ahead - Europe in the triad

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?

Less bureaucracy and more legal certainty

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.

"Old priorities need to be reviewed"

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.

ETA registration is mandatory for entry from April 2, 2025

The "Electronic Travel Authorization" (ETA) will be extended to numerous European countries from April 2025. The application is possible from 5 March 2025.

"Europe's competitiveness must become a top priority"

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

Become active!

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.

Work assignments in the Czech Republic - New reporting platform very complex

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.

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