(Frankfurt am Main, December 5, 2025) The German Chancellor and the heads of government of the federal states have agreed on a Federal Modernization Agenda to reduce bureaucracy. The proposal also includes a review of references to technical standards by June 2026.
The Executive Board of the VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies has commented on this. "The path to reducing unnecessary bureaucracy is the right one. However, the planned comprehensive review of all references to external electrical engineering standards in state and federal laws poses a considerable challenge to safety and innovation in Germany. Standards are indispensable, especially in safety-critical areas such as electrical engineering and information technology. They specify the 'state of the art' – a central principle that protects both users and technical systems and is enshrined in many European legal acts," says Ansgar Hinz, CEO of the VDE.
Standards are developed in transparent procedures with the participation of all relevant social groups. They create legal certainty, relieve the burden on legislators, and enable technical innovations. Without them, there is a risk of legal uncertainty, increased liability risks, and massive cost increases for companies. Critical infrastructures, energy supply, medical technology, and IT security would be exposed to incalculable risks.
European legislation deliberately relies on state-of-the-art technology as a preventive safety instrument. A special German approach would not only jeopardize safety, but also lead to conflicts with EU law and trade barriers.
Special risks in electrical engineering
The VDE implements the technical specifications for Germany in the fields of electronics, electrical engineering, and information technology. "The 'state of the art' is not just a technical term, but forms the basis for product safety, electrical safety, and IT security—both preventively and in terms of liability law. Its task is to ensure the protection of life and health, as stipulated, for example, in Article 2 of the German Basic Law as a state duty to protect," says VDE CEO Ansgar Hinz.
VDE takes a clear position
The planned comprehensive review of standard references in the field of electrical engineering and information technology must not be misunderstood as mere bureaucracy reduction. Standards are the bridge between law and practice – they safeguard lives, innovation, and competitiveness. The VDE is committed to ensuring that references to external standards are retained in safety-critical areas where they are indispensable for protection and reliability. Deregulation must not come at the expense of safety and trust and must remain compatible with the preventive approach of EU law.
