Legal - vdma.eu

On January 1, 2026 and over the course of next year, various changes will come into force in the areas of the labor market, old-age provision, health and care.

The Act to Stabilize Pension Levels and Equalize Child-Raising Periods has been published in the Federal Law Gazette. This concludes the legislative process.

On December 17, 2025, the Federal Cabinet decided to once again extend the period of entitlement to short-time working allowance by decree.

The Federal Ministry for Digitalization and State Modernization launched the EinfachMachen portal on 12 December 2025.

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 monthly legal update for the mechanical engineering industry - exclusively for member companies

The VDMA Legal Department, together with employment law expert Dr. Kathrin Pietras, Andersen GmbH Rechtsberatung, is offering a webinar on the 2026 works council elections on January 15, 2026.

In the course of the final debate on December 5, 2025, the previous draft law was adopted in the version amended by the recommended resolution. Please find attached the recommended resolution and the report of the Defense Committee.

At the same time as the Digital Omnibus, the EU Commission has also published the non-binding model contractual terms on data access and data use under the Data Act. Below we provide information on the structure and use of the templates.

BGH confirms: Individually agreed contractual clauses in multi-party projects can also be GTC vis-à-vis acceding contracting parties

In a recent ruling, the European Court of Justice dealt, among other things, with the criteria for assessing copyright protection for everyday objects.

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

The EU Commission presented its plans for the Digital Omnibus on November 19, 2025. This contains proposals to simplify digital regulation. In this article, we take a look at the changes to the Data Act and the General Data Protection Regulation.

Some may already have heard of the 10²³ FLOP rule for classifying AI as “General Purpose AI”, but how does this actually work? Here we provide answers.

An indirect patent infringement can also be committed by an employee in a managerial role in the context of offering and sales activities.

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.

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 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.

There is no trademark infringement if a trademark search term is used for advertising purposes and it is clear to the user that the advertised products are accessories/spare parts, but not original goods from the trademark owner.

A guideline for a compliance management system for SMEs - DIN SPEC 91524 - useful and manageable for small and medium-sized mechanical engineering companies?

The individual case is decisive for the proportionality of the length of a probationary period in a fixed-term employment relationship.

VDMA offers a cursory legal overview of entering the defense business

It's that time again: The thresholds for EU-wide procurement procedures have been reviewed by the EU Commission and adjusted as of 01.01.2026.

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.

Median or best-paid colleague? What is the benchmark for equal pay claims?

Good things come to those who wait: the German Federal Cabinet has passed the necessary German Data Act Implementing Act.

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.

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

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.

On October 10, 2025, the Bundestag debated the first reading of the government draft of a law to strengthen the autonomy of collective bargaining by ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements when awarding federal public contracts (Collective Bargaining Compliance Act).

The Federal Employment Agency has published its new technical directive on the Temporary Employment Act (AÜG) as of October 1, 2025.

On the instructions of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), the BAFA has published a note on the implementation of the LkSG.

Following the publication of the proposal for a regulation on SEPs, the official withdrawal has now been published in the Official Journal on October 6, 2025.

You are planning to use AI in your machine – but when does your system fall into the ‘high-risk category’ of the AI Regulation? Our guide will help you answer this question step by step.

The works council must be involved when setting up a reporting office in accordance with the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Germany's security situation has changed dramatically. A state of tension or a NATO, alliance or defence case can no longer be ruled out. Strengthening defence capabilities has moved to the top of the political agenda.

"Googling" as part of a recruitment process triggers information obligations towards the applicant and can lead to a claim for compensation.

Regulations at national and European level must be business- and competition-friendly.

The EU Data Act has been applicable since 12.09.2025. We explain what this means below.

On September 11, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJV) published a draft bill to reform product liability law.

ECJ case C 361/22 dealt with the question of the extent to which a company may use a third-party trademark to designate the defining characteristic of its own product.

According to the Federal Network Agency, telecommunications secrecy no longer applies to employers when employees use company email accounts privately.

Employees are not entitled to continued remuneration after a tattoo if they are unable to work due to complications such as inflammation.

From November 18, 2025, directors of foreign companies with a branch in the UK will also be obliged to verify their identity to Companies House.

Your experience is needed: take part in an online evaluation of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

On September 3, 2025, the Federal Cabinet adopted an amendment to the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). The reporting obligation will be deleted without replacement and the list of sanctions reduced.

The Higher Regional Court of Brandenburg decides on the classification of a contract for the construction of a photovoltaic system, reference decision of 06.06.2025 - 10 U 27/25 and decision of 10.07.2025 - 10 U 27/25.

The VDMA legal department has presented a new guideline with a sample contract, which is now available.

On 27.08.2025, the Federal Cabinet adopted the draft law on the modernization of military service - Military Service Modernization Act (WDModG).