The EU Commission has set itself the goal of improving the competitiveness of European industry again – and it seems to have understood that the overregulation of recent years has severely damaged companies. This is indicated in an open letter that EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has addressed to Europe’s entrepreneurs.

In this letter, he announces a new credo for the EU: “We demand less so that companies can do more.” According to VDMA President Bertram Kawlath, such a policy change is urgently needed, “as it will finally give companies the confidence they deserve.”

On the occasion of a meeting with Commissioner Séjourné in Brussels, the VDMA President formulated clear demands from medium-sized industrial companies to the EU: “We need a drastic simplification of EU legislation, a powerful initiative to complete the EU internal market and the rapid expansion of trade relations with third countries.”

The fact that these demands are now reflected in the EU Commission’s industrial policy priorities is seen as an important and positive sign by the mechanical and plant engineering industry. “Now the EU institutions must not talk these priorities out of shape. The industry needs tangible results quickly,” warns Kawlath.

In addition, the Commission’s good approaches must not be immediately weakened by other measures. This also includes the announced support for certain strategic sectors (e.g. steel industry, battery production, semiconductor manufacturing).

“The entire value chain, and production technology in particular, is crucial to the competitiveness of these sectors,” emphasizes Kawlath. “Isolated promotion of end products strengthens neither Europe’s competitiveness nor its resilience,” warns the VDMA President.