Germany’s cabinet approved a second package of bureaucracy-cutting measures on Wednesday, promising annual relief of €600 million for businesses. But the centrepiece of the plan—relaxed rules on mandatory electrical safety checks—has revived tensions between economic efficiency and workplace protection.
The reform allows inspection intervals for electrical installations and equipment to be aligned more closely with actual risk, rather than following a fixed schedule. In low-risk environments such as office buildings, even the adhesive test stickers traditionally affixed to devices could be scrapped.
The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) supports the direction. Its aim is a risk-oriented approach that cuts red tape without endangering workers. The organisation insists that the level of protection must remain intact even under more practical regulations.
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Yet hospitality and catering industry experts warn that kitchens with high moisture and grease levels still pose elevated hazards. They advise maintaining current inspection intervals until the legal situation is fully clarified.
A €10.4 Billion Relief Programme
The electrical testing changes are one element of a broader deregulation drive that has now reached a cumulative volume of €10.4 billion since its launch in November 2025. Alone the easing of electrical checks is expected to save companies around €720 million annually.
Other measures already enacted include:
- The Geodata Infrastructure Act (GeDIG), providing €445 million in relief
- Restricting truck-driving bans to nationwide public holidays
- Abolishing the mandatory registration plate sticker for electric cars
- Digitalising employment promotion and job‑center communication
By the end of the year the government plans to scrap the requirement to issue paper receipts and to introduce the so-called “building type E” standard, which eases building regulations for low-risk projects.
Liability and Fire Risk Remain
Despite the lighter touch, experts urge caution. Every year roughly 2,500 work‑related accidents involving electric current occur in Germany, several of them fatal. In addition, about one‑third of all structural fires are believed to originate from defective electrical appliances.
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Employers’ liability remains a critical point. Even if inspection duties are loosened, companies still bear ultimate responsibility for the safety of their equipment. Private property insurers may also stick to stricter inspection intervals to guarantee coverage in the event of a fire. The federal government cannot unilaterally alter accident prevention regulations—those are set by the self‑governing accident insurance bodies, making close coordination essential.
Trade association representatives, meanwhile, remain sceptical. Their criticism: the measures approved so far have yet to make a noticeable difference in everyday business operations.
