The German government's pension package is a step backwards, not a step forward. Instead of urgently needed structural reforms, it cements the imbalance in the system every year.

Seven leading business organizations are calling on the German government not to jeopardize its own goals for the EU omnibus package on sustainability. What is needed is a 1:1 implementation of the plans, not abstention in the trilogue.

The coalition committee of the CDU, CSU and SPD has agreed to extend the period of entitlement to short-time working allowance.

As part of its new series "Metallurgy in Competition", the Metallurgy Association is organizing an industrial policy forum on 14.01.2026 on the effects of EU climate and competition policy.

The NRW initiative "Europe - Experience and Learn" promotes stays abroad for trainees and strengthens international skills.

Germany as a high-tech location finally needs reforms. Only then can recruitment and employment incentives follow, as well as more interest in the important STEM degree programs.

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.

The Chairman of the Metallurgy Association, Till Schreiter, outlined the situation of metallurgical plant engineering in light of current geopolitical and economic upheavals in a keynote speech at the Hüttentag 2025.

Record-high social spending and special funds - these are not the necessary stimuli for growth and modernization. The credibility and transparency of fiscal policy are being damaged in this way.

The VDMA interest group materialHUB is working on incorporating current environmental and sustainability aspects and optimizing the user-friendliness of research and data input.

MATERIAL HUB is a free and publicly funded online platform for publishing and researching material data according to technical and (environmental) regulatory aspects. https://www.materialhub.de

Anbieter, die Informationen zu Materialien, Werkstoffklassen und Anwendungsgebieten teilen, profitieren von der Sichtbarkeit ihrer kommerziellen Angebote und Forschungsaktivitäten. Erfüllen Sie den steigenden Informationsbedarf Ihrer Kunden.

The results of the COP 30 summit are disappointing - above all, there is no process for phasing out fossil fuels. Nevertheless, the Paris process for global climate protection remains relevant.

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.

At the CECE Summit 2025 in Brussels, leaders demanded measurable regulatory simplification to boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness.

Only 37 percent of mechanical engineering companies are bound by collective agreements. Our latest survey shows: The majority rely on operational flexibility instead of formal collective agreements.

Improvements to the pension package are urgently needed. The Junge Union and Junge Gruppe of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group have a clearer view than the federal government.

Description

The EU institutions have begun trilogue negotiations in order to reach an agreement on the eDeclaration. VDMA hopes that these negotiations will be concluded by the end of this year.

The draft of the NIS-2 Implementation and Cybersecurity Strengthening Act (NIS2UmsuCG) introduced by the German government was passed by the Bundestag today.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has only partially upheld an action brought by Denmark to annul the Minimum Wage Directive and declared only subparagraphs null and void.

The economic reforms announced by the German government are still a long time coming, while jobs are being cut. Companies need tangible relief now and not at some point in the future - including in the social and labor market areas.

The economic reforms announced by the German government are still a long time coming, while jobs are being cut. Companies need tangible relief now and not at some point in the future - including in the social and labor market areas.

The Fifth Ordinance on the Adjustment of the Level of the Minimum Wage (Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance - MiLoV5) was published in the Federal Law Gazette on November 7, 2025.

On November 5, 2025, the Federal Government's Cabinet for Reducing Bureaucracy adopted key points for reducing bureaucracy, which also affect occupational health and safety.

Industry in Europe must finally be noticeably relieved of bureaucracy. MEPs are therefore called upon to push through the sustainability omnibus package now.

The international climate summit took place between 10-21 November in Belém, Brazil

The Bundestag has passed the bill to amend the Carbon Dioxide Storage and Transportation Act (KSpTG).

The mechanical and plant engineering industry is facing new challenges: Legislative changes, political decisions and recent court rulings are changing the employment law framework and presenting companies with new challenges.

CECE has launched the new platform www.compliantconstructionmachinery.eu, a key resource for customers, users, customs officials, and market surveillance authorities.

Disappointing what the cabinet has announced in terms of bureaucracy reduction. It lacks the courage to introduce significant relief for SMEs. This must change.

The European Parliament has postponed the extremely important reduction of bureaucratic demands on companies (Omnibus I) - a fatal sign for European industry. Nine major associations are calling on EU and federal politicians to find a solution.

The planned Collective Bargaining Loyalty Act will harm industrial SMEs because it will bring even more bureaucracy, even though companies pay fair wages. In addition, it only applies in Germany, which may give foreign companies an advantage.

Events and participation in events related to P2X are also intended to further advance the topic.

The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) has published the results of a company survey on the development of the burden of bureaucracy on German companies.

The event highlighted central funding programs at federal level and showed how companies can receive targeted support for innovation projects.

The European Commission presented its work programme for 2026. It sets the course for a forward-looking EU climate and energy policy.

On October 23, 2025, the EU also published and implemented its 19th sanctions package against Belarus. These are two amending regulations that extend the Embargo Regulation No. 765/2006.

On October 23, 2025, the EU published and implemented its 19th sanctions package against Russia. It consists of 3 amending regulations, which amend or extend the Embargo Regulations No. 833/2014 and No. 269/2014.

The focus of the EU-Commission's work program for 2026 is on reducing bureaucracy, affordable housing and increasing investment in defence.

Europe must become less dependent on raw material imports. The EU action plan, which aims to reduce dependence on China, would be an important step in this direction. The focus must also be on the European production of critical raw materials.

An ambitious EU climate target for 2040 also needs the right framework conditions for industry. A clear and uniform European position on the climate target sends the right signal for global climate protection measures.

Position of the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament rejected by the plenary of the European Parliament on 22.10.25. New amendments must now be submitted.

No other industrial sector uses the research allowance as intensively as the mechanical and plant engineering industry. A new VDMA position paper shows ways in which the subsidy can be further optimized.

The EU member states must finally put their commitments to strengthening competitiveness into action. The proposals for adapting the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) point in the right direction.

The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) has presented a plan to reduce bureaucracy in occupational health and safety.

As a strategic partner, Kazakhstan offers a wide range of opportunities for companies in North Rhine-Westphalia in the mechanical and plant engineering sector and in the supply of critical raw materials.

The US tariffs on steel and aluminum are a huge burden on the European mechanical engineering industry. They need to be renegotiated. This is because they contradict the spirit of the tariff deal concluded between the EU and the USA in Scotland.

Adoption of the position of the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee could trigger trilogue negotiations with the Commission and Council in the near future.