Federal modernization agenda - no compromises when it comes to electrical safety!
The federal and state governments are pushing ahead with reducing bureaucracy. VDE supports this in principle. However, safety-related standards must not come under general suspicion. Especially in the field of electrical engineering, references to standards safeguard lives, legal certainty, and the stability of critical infrastructure – VDE has published a groundbreaking position paper on this topic.
In December 2025, the federal and state governments adopted the federal modernization agenda. One mandate is to review all references to technical standards in federal and state laws by June 30, 2026. However, in VDE’s view, this assessment requires differentiation – what can be eliminated, and what is indispensable? One thing is clear: electrical safety standards are not intended to prioritize convenience or design. They define the state of the art for protecting against specific hazards posed by electricity.
Safety rules are developed and updated under the VDE umbrella by, for example, industry, grid operators, academia, and government agencies/policymakers. Their purpose is clear: to protect life and health and to ensure product, grid, and supply security. With the increasing electrification of mobility, heating, and industry, as well as the digitalization of critical infrastructure, their importance continues to grow. A blanket removal of references to standards would interfere with the structure of hazard prevention. Legal references to recognized technical rules provide clear guidance. Without them, authorities and companies would have to determine on a case-by-case basis what constitutes the state of the art. This increases liability risks, prolongs procedures, and makes investments more expensive. Electrical engineering standards are also closely intertwined with European and international standards. They form the basis for product safety, the single market, and international competitiveness.
Conduct a nuanced review – enhance safety
Reviewing all references to standards offers an opportunity to identify unnecessarily detailed requirements. The following principles apply:
- clearly distinguish safety standards from convenience and equipment standards
- explicitly safeguard references to standards in the area of electrical safety
- ensure European interoperability
- strengthen technical self-governance as an efficient alternative to detailed government regulation
