European Policy - vdma.eu

Carbon credits are tradable certificates for verifiable emission reductions. They help countries and companies to achieve climate targets cost-effectively and open up new export and market opportunities for European industry

The EU Pay Transparency Directive comes at an inopportune time. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular are being unduly burdened with new reporting obligations. The German government must work hard to abolish this directive.

VDMA calls on the EU and Australia to swiftly conclude the Free Trade Agreement and thus send another positive signal.

The EU and India have concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. This could be a “game changer” for the engineering industry. What steps are now necessary for the agreement to enter into force?

Geopolitical tensions, tougher competition and new trade barriers are challenging the European mechanical engineering industry. Against this backdrop, VDMA, ZVEI and Deutsche Messe AG are organizing the European Policy Reception at Hannover Messe 2026.

In many cases, Europe is no longer competitive as a business location. The EU must therefore not get lost in 'local content' debates. Instead, it is about setting Europe's course towards growth and competitiveness.

The EU-Parliament has finalized its recommendations for a 28th regime. Among other things, the Parliament supports a broader scope of application and a minimum capital requirement of one euro.

The EU-Parliament has referred the agreement with Mercosur to the EU-Court of Justice for review. From VDMA's point of view, the trade agreement should nevertheless be provisionally applied in the near future to create planning security.

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.

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.