Sustainability & Energy - vdma.org

The European Commission has published a proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste on November 30, 2022. The VDMA will participate in a public consultation.

Product-related environmental regulations, many of which are known by the widely used term "Material Compliance (MC)," have been explained by VMDA in a comprehensive guide.

With the publication (March 30, 2022) of the new Ecodesign Regulation and the establishment of a digital product passport (DPP), the EU Commission has set an important milestone under the Green Deal. When is the final agreement expected? And what is the current status?

Here you will find accompanying documents to support you in implementing the contents (compliance and sustainability topics) described in the ZVEI-VDMA Code of Conduct in your company.

Get active! Young teams from VDMA member companies can develop creative concepts for reducing emissions and, with a little luck, win the second VDMA "Carbon Busters 2.0" award.

Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, plans to commission a study on the economic impact of the planned PFAS restriction. Input from VDMA member companies is also sought.

The EU has agreed on ambitious targets to help rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the high seas. The EU shipping industry, like marine engine manufacturers, now has clarity on how to get there by 2050.

For the annual expansion of onshore wind energy of 10 GW, all players must pull together. An appeal by several associations.

The report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that the available technologies and strategies for reducing emissions are still being applied worldwide far too slowly and hesitantly.

The EU Commission's ambition to make the EU a competitive location for climate protection technologies is right and important. The Net Zero Industry Act can make a contribution to this - especially with its regulations on faster approval procedures.

VDMA and Schubert & Salzer discussed with MEP Walsmann how the EU can support the mechanical engineering sector with right framework conditions, such as on sustainability obligations.

Since April 2022 the EU has released measures to respond to the rapidly changing energy situation within 27 member state block. What exactly are these measures and how do they differ? This article provides a concise overview.

From 2035, no more passenger cars with internal combustion engines are to be registered in the EU. However, the use of climate-friendly eFuels in passenger cars must continue to be possible, because combustion engine technology in combination with CO2-neutral fuels is part of the solution for global climate protection.

In pharmaceutical companies, the need for fast, lean processes is increasing. In this context, digitization can help shorten market entry times, while maintaining and even improving product quality. However, players must also arm themselves against threats.

Commenting on the 3rd Roundtable of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection on industrial production capacities for the energy transition, Dr. Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director VDMA Power Systems:

With their far-reaching obligations, the German and planned EU supply chain laws overburden small and medium-sized companies in particular. VDMA members make their displeasure clear.

On 07.02.2023 ECHA has pre-published the restriction dossier on the broad restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Two delegated acts on hydrogen have passed the EU Commission.

The VDMA has drawn up a position paper on Euro 7 emissions legislation and submitted it to the EU as feedback.

Above all, the expansion of wind energy needs land and permits - and it needs them on a permanent basis. Climate neutrality in the energy system urgently needs investments and projects that have an economic perspective. The German government must lay the cornerstones for electricity market reform before the end of this legislative period.

Two years after the first draft was presented, the EU Parliament and the European Council agreed on the key points of the new regulation on batteries and spent batteries in December 2022.

The topic of sustainability has long played an overriding role for the mechanical and plant engineering industry. The ecological transformation will dominate the coming decade. The topic of CO2 management plays a significant role in this process, as it influences corporate activities in many places.

To achieve the EU climate targets for 2030, Europe really must be made 'fit for 55'. The solutions of the mechanical and plant engineering sector are ready for action. The VDMA expressly supports the fact that emissions trading remains the leading instrument of European climate protection policy and will be strengthened.

Energy costs are an enormous challenge, also for small and medium-sized enterprises: That is why the policy's curbing mechanisms are the right step. It is now important to focus firmly on the upcoming reform of the electricity market.

The Council of the EU defined in December 2022 its position on corporate sustainability due diligence. Although there are some positive elements, VDMA calls on the Council to revise its position.

As part of the VDMA's PCF expert group "Product Carbon Footprint Calculation in Mechanical and Plant Engineering", the association is working with the software company Tanso to develop a pragmatic PCF calculator, the "PCF STARTER".

Calculating the carbon footprint at the product level poses many challenges. In cooperation with various member companies, the VDMA is developing a "PCF calculation guideline" for the machinery and plant engineering sector.

Italy is one of the few countries in Europe to make environmental labeling of packaging mandatory for distributors not only in the B2C sector but also in the B2B sector, regardless of whether the distributor is an Italian or foreign company.

The German Supply Chain Act is becoming increasingly unbearable in its implementation and EU regulation is set to reach far beyond the German precedent. The consequences are no longer calculable.

In November, the EU Parliament published the draft report on corporate sustainability obligations. The draft goes even further than the EU Commission's proposal. The VDMA is calling for this to be changed.

The final phase of the COP27 world climate conference has been difficult, with the joint final declaration on the back burner for a while. Although the world climate conference remains a decisive format, it needs strong complementary initiatives that bring concrete climate protection forward. Keyword "Climate Club

The updated German Packaging Act came into force on July 03, 2021 and contains new obligations that also apply to mechanical engineering companies that generally place non-system packaging on the market.

Per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not only the focus of substance restrictions within the EU and Germany, but are increasingly being restricted in other countries.

Combustion engine technology is part of the solution for global climate protection with the help of green, CO2-neutral fuels. VDMA therefore supports the concerns expressed by EU Commissioner Breton regarding a ban on internal combustion engines from 2035.

Parliament and Federal Council launch reform of national emissions trading - A balancing act between climate protection and security of supply

Following the gas price brake, there must now be an electricity price brake. However, it will only bring calm to the market if suppliers are put in a position to offer industry calculable and reliable supply contracts.

The so-called trilogue negotiations between the EU Parliament, Council and Commission on the EU's "Fit for 55" climate package are of considerable importance for the hydrogen economy.

VDMA surveyed the ESG implementation status in summer 2022. Now the final survey results are available.

A compromise was reached at the last minute in the dispute over Germany's nuclear power plants. This can only work if the targeted renewable energy capacities are actually added next year.

Startup innovations for the construction equipment industry: in October 2022, there will be innovative startups to discover at bauma that are shaping the future of the industry with fresh innovations.

How will companies get through the energy price crisis? Even the Federal Network Agency can't give any guarantees, but at least the path for the coming months now seems to be mapped out.

Energy, climate and technologies - There is a lot of talk these days about resilience and technological sovereignty. Energy, climate and green technologies play a key role in this, and their impact can only be developed through an interdisciplinary strategic approach.

Product Carbon Footprints are often calculated according to general standards. However, these standards often leave room for interpretation and do not offer transparent comparability. This problem is countered with the help of the VDMA standard sheet currently being prepared.

The German government wants to get a grip on the sharp rise in gas prices with a special fund. Small and medium-sized industrial companies also need more security and relief with regard to their energy costs. This must be taken into account by the Gas Commission, which is now making proposals on concrete gas price caps.

The EU taxonomy is the instrument when it comes to the future assessment and financing of sustainable economic activities. In fact, it acts more as a hurdle. Now new environmental criteria are to be presented by the EU Commission, which offer a possible improvement and thus recognition of the activities of mechanical engineering.

The gas levy is also a burden on companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. But it is only one aspect, because the energy supply of the companies faces a number of challenges: Keyword new contracts with suppliers.

Climate protection is an enormous task - and a great opportunity, especially for German and European industry. Will this perspective be destroyed by the current energy crisis? And what strategies will help companies now? The Mechanical Engineering Summit is focusing on this.

Against the backdrop of current crises, the study outlines a path for decision makers on how the African continent can achieve a modern, clean and affordable energy future.

The planned EU reporting obligations on sustainability are out of touch with reality. Among other things, they are supposed to cover the entire value chain of companies. For this, medium-sized companies lack the in-house-expertise. Moreover, there are not enough experts available.

Call for participation: EU consultation runs until August 8. Every vote counts. VDMA supports its members.