Position Papers

In this section you can find a selection of position papers and short information papers concerning European policies. Further positions in German you can find here.

The Skilled Crafts Sector welcomes the revision of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and its transformation into a Regulation. However, our carpenters and joiners, as well as the construction industry still sees need for improvement. It is also important to us that the achievements in the interpretation and application of the Machinery Directive (MD), laid down in the European Guidelines also take effect and are continued under the regime of a Regulation. In addition, the MPR must not cover pipe organs. Procedures and provisions laid down in the MPR cannot be applied accordingly due to the way of manufacturing of these traditional instruments.

Access to data and its use become an indispensable prerequisite for corporate success, also for SMEs. German Skilled Crafts companies ask for a clear legally binding Framework at EU Level regarding access to data.

Free movement of workers and the freedom to provide services are fundamental to the EU Single Market. To improve enforcement of the Posting of Workers Directive throughout Europe and to support the transposition of the amended Posting of Workers Directive, the German Skilled Crafts Sector suggests the following administrative measures.

The EU is supposed to be taking on new tasks in the fields of security, migration and competitiveness, while Brexit is on its way. Please read here how the ZDH assesses the European Commission's proposals for the MFF post 2020.

ZDH has identified four areas with an already sufficient degree of European legislation: The single market, Vocational education and Training (VET), social policy and state aid regulations. These are topics for improved subsidiarity and/or more policy responsibility at Member State level.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWi) is supporting the Skilled Crafts sector in institutionalising a national network of competence centres providing local Crafts companies with access to IT Know-How specifically tailored to their needs. Five Skilled Crafts institutions (one for each of the regions North, West, South and East as well as for the construction sector) act as IT showcase leaders.

The ZDH welcomes the EU's efforts undertaken so far regarding better regulation and burden reductions for SMEs. Though the tools available need to be applied more rigorously, the meaning of the Think Small First principle is quite clear: Policy makers should give full consideration to SMEs at all stages of policymaking.

The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is currently being drafted, setting the agenda for EU support policy in the coming five to ten years. The current budget deficit by Brexit needs to be overcome, while at the same time new tasks in the field of security, migration and competitiveness need to be funded - a total of some EUR 20 billion.

The Skilled Crafts Sector explicitly recognises the Need for regulation and control of driving and rest periods in long-distance passenger and freight transport to protect the professional drivers working in that sector and to ensure road safety. However, these reglations must remain confined to the sector of commercial freight and passenger transport including drivers with driving as their main activity.