Economic & Social Policy - vdma.org

The EU and the USA have negotiated a political agreement in principle in the tariff dispute. Among other things, it provides for a tariff rate of 15 percent for most EU exports to the United States.

Employment is also declining in industry and as long as the federal government refuses to make real reforms to the labor market, the problem will continue to worsen. This is also reflected in the draft budget.

Production technologies are driving Germany forward as a high-tech country. The new Hightech-Agenda is heading in the right direction, but this progress is still only on paper.

In future, the Environment and Sustainability department will provide ten topic-specific newsletters for targeted information on environmental and sustainability topics.

The agreement in the customs dispute creates planning security in the short term and averts an incalculable trade war. However, the agreement also reflects the balance of power. The EU must therefore now consistently strengthen its competitiveness.

The planned law on compliance with collective bargaining agreements is a step in the wrong direction, placing a burden on small and medium-sized companies in particular. A clear breach of promise at the expense of the economy.

The VDMA urges the U.S. and EU to reach an agreement that ensures the certainty European machinery manufacturers need to operate in the U.S.

VDMA emphasized during its discussions in Brussels in particular the importance of better framework conditions so that Europe can compete with China and the United States.

A politically motivated ban on exports of rare earths from China is not compatible with a trusting trade relationship. The EU must show strength towards China and take action.

The ECHA has published a proposal to restrict chromium(VI) substances. Comments on this proposal can be submitted as part of a public consultation. The VDMA asks affected companies to participate.

The bill presented by the Federal Government for an immediate tax program to strengthen Germany as a business location has also been passed by the Bundesrat. The following now applies:

On July 18, 2025, the EU published its 18th sanctions package, which also includes measures against Belarus. It includes two amending regulations. Some of the tougher sanctions are also relevant for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

On July 18, 2025, the EU published its 18th sanctions package against Russia. The measures (2 amending regulations) all come into force on 19.07.2025. Some of the tightened sanctions are also relevant for the mechanical and plant engineering industry.

The mechanical engineering industry is ready to invest further in Germany and Europe. However, this requires internationally competitive costs at the location. Political action must be taken now.

The industry associations of the German offshore wind industry and the non-profit OFFSHORE-WINDENERGIE foundation today published the expansion figures for the first half of 2025.

Over 100 guests came together in Berlin on July 9, 2025 to discuss the GEG, EPBD and the role of mechanical engineering in the building and heating transition. The focus: technology-open, practical solutions for implementation in partnership.

The first round of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the UAE took place in June 2025. VDMA hopes that this will result in an agreement to abolish localization requirements, amongst other things.

The VDMA welcomes the EU Commission's plan to strengthen the data economy. However, any measures must remain voluntary and must not lead to forced data exchange and further bureaucratic burdens.

A restructuring of the EU budget must not mean new levies for companies. That would be an own goal for investments in Europe.

Good news for European companies: the EU's free trade agreement with Indonesia is an important success for more rules-based trade worldwide.

US punitive tariffs of 30 percent would be damaging for all parties involved, for the EU and the USA. Investments and reindustrialization would be slowed down.

The Chemicals Package includes the 6th Omnibus (‘Chemicals’), a proposal to provide ECHA with additional resources and an action plan, including ‘Providing Clarity on PFAS’.

The EU Commission wants to reduce bureaucracy for small-mid caps (SMCs) - for example in the GDPR, the F-Gas Regulation and the Battery Regulation. Larger companies should also benefit - for example through the digitalization of documentation obligations.

The debate on our social security systems must be conducted urgently and openly. It will not work without structural reforms. This requires the political will to act.

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.

When it comes to raw material stocks in Europe, a broad perspective is needed. Stockpiling is one component, the circular economy another.

Legislators must not ignore the reality of everyday industrial life, and this also applies to the EU Commission's Chemicals Action Plan.

In the third consultation meeting on the minimum wage adjustment on June 27, 2025, the Minimum Wage Commission unanimously passed a resolution to increase the minimum wage on the basis of a mediation proposal by the chairwoman.

The European Union remains ambitious in climate protection with a new emissions reduction target for 2040.

The adequacy decisions with the United Kingdom have been extended by the EU Commission for a further six months.

The EU wants to remain ambitious on climate protection. An ambitious target is the right thing to do, but it requires simple legislation and sufficient investment.

How can statistical reporting obligations be reduced? Digital services can help you. A free webinar by the Saxon State Statistical Office in cooperation with the Chemnitz Chamber of Industry and Commerce presents the e.CORE reporting procedure.

The EU Commission announced that it would simplify the rules on State aid in order to promote the development of clean energy, decarbonization and net-zero technologies.

The pension package with additional expenditure envisaged by Labor Minister Bas does not solve any of the problems, but rather increases them. Companies and employees need serious structural reforms.

The EU omnibus package is intended to significantly reduce the bureaucratic burden on companies. Now the package must no longer be torpedoed. Bureaucracy must not become an obstacle to innovation.

The Chinese ban on the supply of rare earths is causing unrest. VDMA President Bertram Kawlath explains why SMEs are particularly affected in the ZEIT business podcast.

Companies now need real economic stimulus such as the investment program. It must no longer be watered down in the negotiations with the federal states.

Canada wants to expand its economic partnerships - an opportunity for Europe. It is crucial that the CETA free trade agreement is finally implemented in full.

If export goods are not delivered, there is a risk of high losses - especially for custom-made products. Hermes Cover protects against losses due to sanctions or geopolitical conflicts, among other things.

Nine major business associations from Germany have issued a joint appeal warning that progress on cutting red tape in Europe should not be jeopardized.

Security and competitiveness will be two overarching priorities for the Danish Presidency, but it will also focus on the 28th regime and data.

The CO2 border adjustment mechanism CBAM is being simplified and many small companies will be exempt. An important step - but only a temporary solution.

The VDMA regulatory cockpit provides you with a central, practical overview of current and upcoming regulations. It helps you identify relevant information at an early stage, evaluate it strategically, and derive concrete measures.

From the VDMA's perspective, visa policy and technical interfaces are among the top issues for German-Brazilian cooperation in mechanical engineering. The German-Brazilian Business Days provide an opportunity for exchange.

The 6th edition of the VDMA Technology Guide Oil Gas Petrochemicals with focus on Net-Zero Solutions for energy-intensive Industries. Are you among the Who's Who of European process technology suppliers?

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.