BDA | German Employers

BDA is the umbrella organisation representing the social and economic policy interests of the German business sector, encompassing one million companies with around 30.5 million employees. Public procurement is already socially responsible under the existing framework (cf. directive on public procurement 2014/24/EU: art. 18(2), 20(1), 43(1), 67(2a), 70).

Please find enclosed the full position paper. Summary: A coherent approach to the revision of public procurement legislation is essential. This means simplifying the procedure while avoiding overlapping, vague or disproportionate criteria. Unclear EU rules on scope and coverage lead to risk-averse, box-ticking behaviour and uncertainty.

More talent in the EU through less bureaucracy and more digitalisation This document has been machine-translated from German. The original German version is available here. Position paper on the planned EU Skills Portability Initiative 26 February 2026 Summary Europe needs skilled workers.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

More talent in the EU through less bureaucracy and more digitalisation This document has been machine-translated from German. The original German version is available here. Position paper on the planned EU Skills Portability Initiative 26 February 2026 Summary Europe needs skilled workers.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

More talent in the EU through less bureaucracy and more digitalisation This document has been machine-translated from German. The original German version is available here. Position paper on the planned EU Skills Portability Initiative 26 February 2026 Summary Europe needs skilled workers.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

We welcome the European Commissions initiative to improve EU policies for citizens and to strengthen the Single Market in practice. The decisive criterion for success will be whether the initiative makes it easier for people to live, work and access opportunities across borders. A key principle should guide this work: what is good for citizens and workers is also good for companies.

As the European Commission prepares its next European Vocational Education and Training (VET) strategy, we must set the course for VET systems across the EU that empower learners and businesses alike. VET is not only a powerful launchpad into work its a cornerstone of competitiveness, social inclusion, and democratic resilience.

The objective of competitiveness and cutting red tape must finally also be pursued consistently in the area of EU labour mobility. The European Commission’s proposals so far are too succinct. A targeted labour market omnibus package is needed to reduce existing burdens and strengthen the framework conditions for cross-border mobility in the Single Market.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Before extending the mandate of the European Labour Authority (ELA), its legally existing tasks must be fulfilled: ELA should prioritise tailor-made information on EU labour mobility, as well as real progress on digitalisation, rather than further developing its administrative structures.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We welcome the European Commissions proposal to extend selected SME relief measures to small mid-cap enterprises (SMCs) through the Omnibus IV Regulation. This initiative is a long-overdue and necessary step toward a more proportionate regulatory framework that reflects the operational realities of mid-sized companies in Europe.

The digitalisation of social security coordination is long overdue. For decades, paper-based bureaucracy and fragmented procedures have burdened businesses, unnecessarily hampering cross-border mobility and hampering competitiveness in the Single Market. There is an urgent need to facilitate labour mobility as a fundamental freedom in the internal market.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Please find below the feedback from the BDA, the Federal Confederation of German Employers’ Associations: There is no need to further strengthen the Whistleblower Directive. In Germany, the Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) has already transposed the Directive comprehensively and partly beyond the EU requirements. The HinSchG covers reports of infringements of national rules on penalties and fines.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission