Reactions from the industry
The German trade association welcomes the commission’s advance as an important step for harmonizing and simplification among the reporting obligations. Trade companies would currently be faced with many incoherent and practical legal regulations and considerable bureaucratic stress.
“The omnibus proposal enables relief for trading companies and creates legal clarity. Competitive trade urgently needs this simplification, harmonization and slimming of the reporting and diligent obligations,” said HDE President Alexander von Preen. However, clarity would have to be created quickly, after all, reporting rules for the current year still apply.
“Mealers now need planning security, reasonable lead times and clear time specifications,” demands from Preen. HDS/L CEO Manfred Junkert also rates the Omnibus process positively: “We have always pointed out what is the financial and bureaucratic effort behind the supply chain law. The Commission has now recognized how much the competitiveness of European companies is endangered.” Above all, the relief of the KMUS rates Junkert positively. However, he also points out: “Even if only the large companies fall under the guidelines, they usually pass on these standards to smaller suppliers. So the whole industry remains affected.”
His demand: “Against the background of the war in Europe and the current trade conflicts with the United States, free trade is at risk. Politics should set priorities.”
