Reducing bureaucracy: "Germany still has a long way to go"

The National Regulatory Control Council (NRC) says politicians have had little success in reducing bureaucracy. The skilled trades sector is demanding that the federal government finally implement its bureaucracy-reducing plans from the coalition agreement.

This article is part of the special topic Bureaucratic madness in the craft industry

Especially in the current crisis, while the economy is struggling due to the consequences of climate change, pandemic and war especially under pressure companies must unnecessary bureaucracy be released. This is what the National Standards Control Council (NKR) in its 2022 annual report. It reports on a immensely increased compliance costs of the companies. They, the citizens and the administration had to additional 6,7 billion and a total of 17,4 billion euros to fulfill legal obligations. "Even though this increase is largely due to the increase in the statutory minimum wage, the trend is towards wrong direction", the Council writes in its report and asks: "When, if not now, is the time to make regulations and enforcement processes in Germany simpler, more target-oriented and more effective?

The newly appointed Regulatory Control Council is optimistic that its proposals will help “to reduce bureaucracy and improve regulation”. new impulses and new strength The goal is a noticeable reduction in bureaucracyDespite all efforts, too little"Therefore, the effectiveness of the existing system for avoiding and reducing unnecessary costs must be improved, and additional bureaucracy reduction measures must be initiated." This includes a new Bureaucracy Reduction ActHere is the entire Federal government The drafting and implementation of effective, efficient and practical laws requires Time and the expertise of those affected"This is the only way to avoid costly mistakes and make enforcement as simple as possible. The federal government often fails to do this.

Quality requires time and expertise

Annual reportHere you will find the Annual Report of the NKR.The NKR criticizes the "ever-tighter" deadlines for voting and participation procedures. Therefore, the consultation of those affected is far too often pure waste paper"The NKR is also increasingly being given such short deadlines that a serious and responsible examination of the draft laws is hardly possible anymoreWith all due respect for the constraints of hectic, media-driven politics, anyone who wants to produce better regulatory results must more time A "central lever" for reducing bureaucracy is the Digitalization, especially in the area of ​​administration. Here, it is important simple and user-friendly online procedures Here, Germany has also taken action with the 2017 Online Access Act (OZG) its lag behind other countries not catch up can.

Two months before the implementation deadline, only 33 of 575 administrative services are available online nationwide at the federal, state, and municipal levels. The reason: complicated coordination structures, lack of standardization and lack of commitmentWhat is needed is a OZG successor law and honest error analysisWith regard to digitalisation, the NKR Act stipulated that draft laws from 2023 digitally compatible The National Regulatory Control Council (NKR) has been mandated to ensure that enforcement and digitalization issues are considered from the outset in legislation. For example, signatures and personal visits to the office could be eliminated, paper records replaced by register queries, or more automated administrative procedures could be enabled.

Finally implement bureaucracy reduction

"The annual report of the Regulatory Control Council makes it clear that Germany is making progress in reducing bureaucracy still a long way to go ahead of him," explains Holger Schwannecke"The burden on craft businesses due to bureaucratic requirements, reporting and documentation obligations are further up, they are increasing and taking away time from companies that they urgently and better need for management – ​​all the more so in view of the current crises," said the Secretary General of the Central Association of German CraftsRegardless of whether it is about the further digitalisation of administration or the reduction of bureaucracy: "The measures taken so far are not beneficial for craft businesses not onThe Federal Government must therefore implement its plans from the coalition agreement to reduce bureaucracy finally implement."

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