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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.

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.

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.

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.

On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Landesverband NORD / AG MES was a guest at SAACKE GmbH for an intensive discussion with Senator Kristina Vogt at the Mechanical Engineering Industry Dialogue.

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.

Friedrich Merz becomes Federal Chancellor at a particularly challenging time economically and socially. In the first 100 days, the course must be set for growth and competitiveness.

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.

Germany brings up the rear of the industrialized nations in terms of forecast economic growth. Reforms are also needed in the labor market, which can be perceived as painful.

The future of pension funding is the biggest gap in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. Unpopular measures are also needed to make pensions fit for the future.

The VDMA reviews the coalition agreement with a focus on key issues such as energy, climate, digitalization, education, tax and labor market policy. The executive summary highlights opportunities, gaps, and necessary adjustments.

Strategic impetus for North Rhine-Westphalia's innovation and competitiveness

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.

The future governing parties have negotiated a coalition agreement very quickly. It contains some good ideas for reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. However, the tax relief for companies comes too late.

In turbulent times, good trade relations are just as important as innovation. With the guest country Canada and the focus on the use of artificial intelligence in production, Hannover Messe 2025 has set the right signals.

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.

The machinery industry is calling for a thorough state reform in Germany to increase industrial competitiveness. The EU, too, must get the economic development in Europe back on track.

Europe and its close relations with host country Canada shaped the opening of Hannover Messe 2025. VDMA President Bertram Kawlath emphasized the strengths of both partners.

The labor market is sending a clear signal: structural reforms are needed now instead of further social benefits, even if they may be unpopular.

Bureaucratic obligations place a considerable burden on small companies in the industrial SME sector. A new IMPULS study shows that the total burden of regulation for them is higher than the gross return on sales.

To ensure the competitiveness of the mechanical and plant engineering industry, the VDMA is calling for reliable economic framework conditions. A strong industry means a strong economy.

In response to the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU, the EU-Commission has initiated countermeasures against imports from the US. This included a consultation on EU countermeasures for US exports.

The German parliament has cleared the way for investment in infrastructure and defense capabilities. The new federal government must also introduce far-reaching structural reforms to strengthen the business location.

The future German government is facing decisive decisions. Clear industrial policy impulses are necessary to ensure growth and innovation. A guest article by VDMA President Bertram Kawlath for CEO.Table.

IG Metall wants to secure industrial jobs by giving preference to companies bound by collective agreements. This is the wrong approach.

Germany needs a stable government quickly. The results of the exploratory talks between the CDU/CSU and SPD may make this possible, but they avoid the necessary change that would help medium-sized industrial companies.

Germany must take responsibility for defense capability and security and invest heavily in defense and infrastructure. Time-limited and earmarked special funds are better than softening the debt brake.

Germany's innovative strength as a business location must be strengthened now. An alliance of leading business associations and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft jointly present ten key demands to politicians.

Competitiveness, growth and a long-term supply of labor and skilled workers require adaptability, a flexible labor market and a future-proof social security system.

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 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?

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.

The German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) provides information on the possibility for companies to provide evidence of their efforts to obtain data on CBAM goods and the use of its discretionary powers in the assessment of CBAM reports

As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, the Net-Zero Industry Act is now in force aiming at boosting green manufacturing in Europe. Which technologies will be favoured? And how is resilience secured?

With the new Ecodesign Regulation and the establishment of a digital product passport, the EU Commission has set an important milestone under the Green Deal. The mechanical engineering sector will already be affected by the new requirements in the short term.

On the occasion of the European elections, VDMA has published its key demands for the 2024-2029 legislative period and is calling on the EU to draw up a bold master plan to strengthen Europe's competitiveness.

Over 220 leading figures from the European mechanical and plant engineering industry came together in Vienna to discuss the current challenges facing the industry and to exchange ideas on approaches to achieving climate neutrality.

Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo)

The Statistical Handbook 2025 is now available to our member companies as a PDF version free of charge. Non-members can obtain the publication from the VDMA publishing house.

First the Corona pandemic, then the Russian invasion of Ukraine: these crises and their effects are tormenting Germany as a business location. But it is important to look to the future and ask how Germany can prepare itself for the future.

Karl Haeusgen continues to see many advantages in Germany and Europe as a business location. But the flood of regulations from politics and the growing support for the AfD are causing the VDMA president great concern.

The VDMA's capital city office is breaking new ground: Intensive discussions with stakeholders are on the program until the next General Assembly in order to drive forward the climate-neutral and digital transformation of the economy.

VDMA is campaigning for less bureaucracy in work assignments in Europe. An overview of the facts and figures shows that there is still a long way to go before the Internal Market runs smoothly.

The EU and U.S. should finally bury the hatchet on this half-decade-long trade dispute that has triggered uncertainty and increased costs for manufacturers in both markets.

Schengen visa may allow short-term deployment of non-EU service technicians in Germany.

Short-term business trips are possible without a visa, but a visa is required for assemblers and service assignments.

Since the Arab Spring in 2011, Egypt has undergone a sometimes tumultous, but overall dynamic economic development.

VDMA member companies consider different strategies to minimize decoupling risks in both markets. The full report is available for download.

A successful event: on May 11, 2022, 60 participants exchanged views on top issues ranging from sustainability management and climate neutrality to "zero impact" in raw materials at the Corporate Foresight spring conference. Exciting presentations, interesting discussions and inspiring networking.

Kenya ranks among the top three economies in sub-Saharan Africa, far behind Nigeria and South Africa, with a GDP of $110 billion (2021).

Bilateral initiative to set the pace for the region.

The starting signal has been given for the new series "Africa - Market in Focus". The first issue provides a concise overview of business in South Africa.

In the daily political debate, good arguments are the be-all and end-all. In the VDMA's brief positions you will find short statements on current controversial issues.

In Germany, the Bundestag passed a Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) back in 2021. At EU level, the Supply Chain Directive (CS3D), which was already adopted in 2024, was amended by Omnibus I.

Official platform provides bundled and free information on Africa business.

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.

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

EU Commission adopts second package on sustainable finance - Mechanical engineering as supplier of green technologies not sufficiently considered in taxonomy.

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.

The EU Parliament has adopted its position on the new circular economy package. From the VDMA's point of view, this is a good step into the right direction, but too much bureaucracy has to be avoided.

The VDMA statistics database offers all VDMA member companies fast and convenient access to economic information on all aspects of mechanical engineering.

The VDMA's office in Brussels sees itself as a bridge between industry and EU policy.

The EU Commission has published recommendations for a better coordinated approach to travel restrictions. A European solution is good, but freedom of movement is important at all times, not only during the crisis.

Climate-neutral production is a challenge along the entire value chain and occupies many companies. For this reason, the VDMA has now published a practical guide for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

China, India, Japan, America, Brazil or Singapore: Our VDMA liaison offices abroad will help you with your involvement in the most important foreign markets.