European Policy - vdma.eu

The EU report on the internal market clearly shows the urgent need for action in Europe. The internal market remains fragmented, private investment is declining and the EU is making slow progress in reducing regulatory hurdles.

Germany as a business location needs new impetus for growth and a modernization of the state and society more urgently than ever before. Genuine economic policy reforms instead of small-scale crisis management is the motto.

The EU's free trade agreement with India sends out a very important signal in favor of rules-based trade and against the law of the jungle. The elimination of customs duties and technical barriers to trade provides an urgently needed boost to competition.

As of 1st January 2026, Phil Layton of JCB and CEA is the new President of CECE. He is taking over this leadership role for 2026 and 2027.

The European Parliament's Mercosur decision is completely incomprehensible and complicates the process considerably. Small and medium-sized industrial companies urgently need EU free trade agreements that also come into force.

VDMA Executive Director Thilo Brodtmann on the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement by the EU.

During its EU Presidency, Cyprus plans to focus on issues such as defense, migration and Ukraine, but also on topics that are particularly relevant to mechanical engineering.

The EU-Commission's proposal to combat overcapacity in the steel sector has been presented. In the view of the VDMA, this proposal must also involve European steel consumers, who must not be burdened with additional costs and more bureaucracy.

The free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur is of the utmost importance for European industry. The EU Council of Ministers must act now and give its approval.

The EU Commission wants to simplify ESG requirements with the Omnibus Regulation. This update shows the current status and possible relief for companies.

Europe's and Germany's competitiveness is under threat: weak investment and political inaction are jeopardizing the mechanical and plant engineering industry. Fast, decisive reforms are needed now.

The European Commission has established a platform to make it easier for European companies to access strategic raw materials.

The EU wants to include more products in the scope of CBAM. This means more effort and costs for European companies - a wrong signal in times of growing global trade disputes.

The trilogue meeting on the eDeclaration scheduled for 8 December has been postponed. VDMA is committed to ensuring that negotiations on the final wording are concluded as soon as possible.

The Council must now deliver and ratify the Mercosur trade agreement. After years of negotiations, a clear commitment to free trade and reliable partnerships is needed.

The EU sustainability omnibus package was adopted with the urgently needed adjustments. A strong signal for more legal certainty and practicable solutions for our small and medium-sized industry.

The EU-Commission has published a proposal for a Regulation on the establishment of European Business Wallets. What are the main elements of this proposal?

The EU Commission is taking the right path with the environmental omnibus. It will finally bring real relief for small and medium-sized industrial companies.

The mechanical engineering industry wants to maintain production in Germany and Europe. However, better location conditions are urgently needed to prevent research, production and therefore innovation from migrating away.

With the ResourceEU plan, the EU Commission wants to make Europe less dependent on raw material imports from China. In particular, the development of Europe's own production and processing capacities for critical raw materials is essential in the medium term.

The EU Parliament has taken the right step with the Deforestation Regulation, now it's up to the trialogue. In order for there to finally be planning certainty, the relief proposed by the Commission must be adopted swiftly.

Approximately 40 percent of our exports to the U.S. are affected by tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives. VDMA is working to find a solution to these trade barriers with our most important export market.

With the Digital Omnibus, the EU wants to tackle three laws at the same time and thus create initial relief for the industry. However, this is not enough to ensure Europe's competitiveness as a digital location.