Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks (ZDH)

The European Commission announces a Circular Economy Act (CEA) in Q4 2026, a regulatory framework to promote the circular economy in the EU single market and strengthen the EU’s resilience. The proposed Regulation aims to help create sufficient supply and demand for secondary raw materials and a genuine internal market for waste and secondary raw materials.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

In its 2023 report on public procurement in the EU, the European Court of Auditors found that the latest reform of the European public procurement rules did not increase competition and the participation of SMEs in public tenders. Therefore, the planned revision of the EU public procurement directives should not in itself take into account the possibility of reducing the burden on procuring entities.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

In its 2023 report on public procurement in the EU, the European Court of Auditors found that the latest reform of European public procurement rules did not lead to increased competition and SME participation in public tenders. Therefore, the planned revision of the EU public procurement directives should not focus solely on a possible reduction in the burden on contracting entities.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The ZDH has so far been critical of the European product and organisational eco-balances project. The reason for this was, firstly, the fear that the LCAs will entail significant costs and costs, thereby placing small-scale production at a structural disadvantage compared to industrial production.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), as the umbrella association for crafts, represents the interests of around 1 million craft businesses with more than 5.6 million employees and around 350.000 apprentices. As part of the first Omnibus package, the European Commission has proposed simplifications, including on CSRD and CSDDD.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ZDH Basically supporting measures to promote the free movement of workers. The EU should support the recognition of qualifications but not impose additional legal regulations. The requirements for professional qualifications set by the destination countries must continue to be decisive. The recognition of foreign professional qualifications acquired in EU countries play a subordinate role in Germany.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ZDH Basically supporting measures to promote the free movement of workers. The EU should support the recognition of qualifications but not impose additional legal regulations. The requirements for professional qualifications set by the destination countries must continue to be decisive. The recognition of foreign professional qualifications acquired in EU countries play a subordinate role in Germany.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Then German Confederation of Skilled Craftsa and Small Businesses (ZDH) Basically supports measures to promote the free movement of workers. The EU should support the recognition of qualifications but not impose additional legal regulations. The requirements for professional qualifications set by the destination countries must continue to be decisive.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ZDH-feedback on the draft implementing act on the DPP Registry: ZDH supports the establishment of a well-functioning registry. From a think small first-perspective, it considers amendments of several provisions essential to avoid SMEs will being disproportionately burdened. The skilled crafts sector in Germany counts around one million enterprises employing around 5,6 million staff.

The ZDH considers the proposal to introduce common specifications as an alternative to harmonised standards to be very problematic. Such a measure would create a parallel system, which could result in fragmentation of the internal market, higher costs for businesses and less involvement of relevant stakeholders.

Common specifications The ZDH is convinced that in any case common specifications should only be consid-ered as a last resort measure. The primacy of stakeholder driven harmonised stand-ards must be preserved as the main way to facilitate compliance and provide presump-tion of conformity.

The Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH) represents the interests of around 1 million craft businesses in Germany, employing around 5.6 million people. The attached opinion sets out practical approaches on how to significantly reduce the burden on craft businesses by making the necessary adjustments. The proposals go beyond simplifying EU rules in the area of direct taxation.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

As the European Commission prepares its next European 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.

Common specifications The ZDH is convinced that in any case common specifications should only be consid-ered as a last resort measure. The primacy of stakeholder driven harmonised stand-ards must be preserved as the main way to facilitate compliance and provide presump-tion of conformity.

The ZDH supports strengthening market surveillance, particularly in online trade and imports from third countries. The EU should focus on enforcing existing regulations more effectively and ensure that platforms are held fully accountable for the products they sell, which often do not meet European safety, labour or environmental standards.

The Central Association of German Skilled Crafts (ZDH) supports the plan to revise EU rules on electronic invoicing. However, from a ZDH point of view, the use of so-called extensions, i.e. extensions of the e-invoice beyond the core CEN EN 16931 standard, must still be allowed in both B2G and B2B cases if the issuer of the invoice and the recipient of the invoice agree on the use.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission