The PFAS Info Day on 2 September 2021 focused on the current European PFAS restriction project and how the mechanical and plant engineering sector might be affected.
Climate protection requires the worldwide introduction of new technologies for the conversion and storage of energy. P2X is the key technology and offers great opportunities for mechanical and plant engineering.
The German federal government examines the extent to which companies based in Germany comply with their human rights due diligence obligations. Decisions on further legal steps are dependent on this.
Attention all those interested in Europe! With our new web seminar series "EU Bubble Talks - 30 minutes insights from Brussels" we take a look behind the scenes of European politics and take you with us.
With the interactive PDF poster "Sustainability Overview", the VDMA aims to provide an overview of the now very complex topic of Sustainability with the corresponding legal requirements for initial, operational implementation.
Until now, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has not been a major issue for the European mechanical and plant engineering industry. With developments around the regulation of five PBTs, that has changed.
In future, the digital product passport is to include all important environmental and material data of a product along its entire life cycle. VDMA sees opportunities and challenges in this concept and calls for the involvement of the industry.
PFAS are perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances that are used in many applications in mechanical engineering and represent a group of substances with over 4,700 individual substances.
The July 2021 extension imposes an immediate communication and notification obligation on article manufacturers and importers.
5 EU member states (including Germany) want to largely restrict the production, marketing and use of "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances" (PFAS) in the EU.
Access to sustainable finance could become more difficult for the machinery and equipment sector, despite its significant contribution to the green transformation.
Three public consultations of the Sustainable Finance Platform and many more innovations in the EU taxonomy
Climate-neutral production is a core task for machine and plant manufacturers in the coming years. The technological know-how of mechanical engineering is needed to convert production facilities of all kinds and to meet the increasing requirements for energy efficiency and use of resources. The new episode of the VDMA Industry Podcast explains what companies will have to face in this context.
EU Commission adopts second package on sustainable finance - Mechanical engineering as supplier of green technologies not sufficiently considered in taxonomy.
The navigation aid looks at the material aspects of the RoHS Directive and in particular the exceptions relevant to mechanical engineering.
There must be no summer recess when it comes to climate protection: Following the adoption of the German Climate Protection Act, SMEs in particular now need concrete statements from the parties during the election campaign on how they intend to put Germany on the climate path to Paris.
The factsheet summarizes different aspects of the "Mercury Regulation" and supports the assessment of company-specific obligations and product impacts according to the regulation.
The Climate Change Act builds extreme pressure for action by 2030 - which is required to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. But it still lacks a real decision-making framework that companies can use to plan their investments for the long term.
Which subsidies are available for energy efficiency and what do I have to look out for when applying?
The Federal Ministry for the Environment awards innovative climate and environmentally friendly processes, products and services as well as technology transfer solutions for emerging and developing countries with 175,000 euros. All companies, research institutions and individuals based in Germany can take part in the competition.
With its climate protection law, the German government is campaigning for the elections by increasingly tightening the timetable. In doing so, it is deliberately concealing the high transformation efforts that will have to be made by citizens and companies.
Companies can reduce their climate footprint with their own climate strategy. There are already many ready-to-use tools, aids and measures. The VDMA guide also helps.
The current study "Drivetrain in Transition" examines the future of mobility. It predicts that the combustion engine will lose much of its importance, but also considers an alternative scenario.
Politicians and industry alike are called upon to set the course for more climate protection. There is a need for genuine global cooperation and an international greenhouse gas pricing system. Greenhouse gas reduction must be open to all technologies.
What are the manufacturer obligations in the area of material compliance and how can they be fulfilled?
By 2030, the EU has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent compared to 1990. This target thus becomes a legal obligation for EU member states.
On 21 April 2021, the EU Commission published a proposal for the revision of the so-called CSR Directive (Non Financial Reporting Directive - NFRD), which has been in force in Germany since 2017, and which would significantly expand the scope of application.
More and more countries are setting much tougher emissions targets for 2030; EU and US are politically on the same level of ambition. China wants to reach the peak of greenhouse gas emissions before 2030. The VDMA says: climate protection also needs competition and open markets.
The German government has adopted legal measures for the human rights due diligence of companies. The VDMA has advocated a manageable implementation with added value for those affected, instead of excessive bureaucratic obligations, and continues to campaign for this.
In the concluding web seminar of the series "Climate-neutral production" you will learn how to become a climate-neutral company with climate goals and a climate strategy and how to offset your emissions.
Among VDMA members, the topic of "Material Compliance" is now one of the top issues. Unfortunately, knowing about the relevant regulations does not mean fulfilling the associated manufacturer obligations.
After long negotiations, the German government reached an agreement on a German Supply Chain Act in February 2021 with three ministries involved and wants to hold companies more accountable.
VDMA discussion paper on more use of recycled plastics published.
Our FAQ module provides detailed answers to the most important questions on how to strategically anchor sustainability in a company.
The Corona pandemic has also become a decisive point of departure for the EU Commission's climate agenda. The Green New Deal offers many opportunities for the mechanical and plant engineering industry - if it is based on market principles.
On 28 November, 21 company representatives met for the constituent meeting of the new body. The focus is on sustainability requirements and increasing due diligence along the supply chain as well as the strategic anchoring of sustainability in the company.
Mechanical and plant engineering plays a key role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Not only because machines are performing their service ever more efficiently and thus conserving resources, but also because mechanical and plant engineering equips all industrial sectors worldwide with state-of-the-art technology.
To find a proper solution for the dispute over the Due Diligance Regulation is becoming increasingly difficult. The VDMA is therefore calling for a fundamental revision of the draft law.
The new EU research framework program "Horizon Europe" will most likely include a public-private partnership on the topic of production. On the research agenda of "Made in Europe" are classic themes such as Industry 4.0 and future production processes, but also hot topics such as circular economy, artificial intelligence and climate protection.
In 2015, the EU Commission presented its first comprehensive package of measures on the circular economy. The focus was on waste prevention and the recycling of products and materials to keep them in the cycle. A few years later, the EU sums up: the economic benefits of the circular economy are clear, but we are still far from talking about a functioning and comprehensive circular economy.
Makerspaces are freely accessible workshops with high-tech equipment. Ideal for machine makers – e.g. for trying new technology, meeting startups, or sustainability gains and training of own staff.
Description
Industrialization of fuel cell production as the key to market success
VDMA has evaluated the EU Commission's strategy for sustainable textiles in a public consultation. The background to this are the activities within the scope of the Circular Economy Action plan.
A joint study by BCG and VDMA shows that mechanical and plant engineering can reduce up to 86 percent of global emissions.
On 21 January 2021, the VDMA held its third web infoday with the main topic "Basics of the SCIP database".
The association information on the new information requirements on substances in articles from the EU Waste Framework Directive offers you an overview of the topic and goes into detail on the national implementation.
At the request of its members, the VDMA searched for and found a suitable service provider for CSR Management in an intensive process.
The directive obliges certain companies in the EU to disclose non-financial aspects in or in addition to their annual report. This directive is currently under revision until 2021.
The EU's Taxonomy Regulation makes it more difficult for mechanical and plant engineering companies to access financing for the development of energy-efficient technologies of the future - but it also offers opportunities.
On 21 April 2021, the EU Commission published a proposal for the revision of the so-called CSR Directive (Non Financial Reporting Directive - NFRD), which has been in force in Germany since 2017, and which would significantly expand the scope of application.
"Closing the loop" is the motto of the EU Commission's comprehensive circular economy package. It aims to do much more than just save a little bit of resources and recycle a little bit more.
Green Deal: The VDMA European Office takes a look at some of the planned measures and their potential impact on the mechanical engineering sector.
The EU's Taxonomy Regulation makes it more difficult for mechanical and plant engineering companies to access financing for the development of energy-efficient technologies of the future - but it also offers opportunities.
The German federal government examines the extent to which companies based in Germany comply with their human rights due diligence obligations. Decisions on further legal steps are dependent on this.
Since the beginning of 2021, importers of conflict minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from risk areas into the EU are subject to mandatory due diligence requirements.
The directive obliges certain companies in the EU to disclose non-financial aspects in or in addition to their annual report. This directive is currently under revision until 2021.
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