European Policy Department

The European Union's competence covers a wide range of policy areas that are of relevance to the skilled crafts sector.

Tim Krögel

Managing Director European Policy Department

+32 2 23085-39

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Our team in Brussels

Here you will find press releases on European policy issues:

Foto: ZDH/Henning Schacht

EU aktuell

Strengthening the internal market - easing the burden on SMEs

21.05.2025

On 21 May, the EU Commission presented its internal market strategy. Holger Schwannecke, Secretary General of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses (ZDH), explains:
Foto: ZDH/Henning Schacht

EU aktuell

Strong craft businesses can only flourish in a powerful Europe

09.05.2025

Jörg Dittrich, President of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses (ZDH), comments on Europe Day on 9 May:
Foto: ZDH/Uli Mayer

EU aktuell

Strengthening European cooperation – targeted support for SMEs

13.03.2025

The European Crafts Conference 2025 on 12 and 13 March in Munich highlighted the great importance of skilled crafts businesses for Europe's competitiveness and the common re-form concerns of the skilled crafts sector, which are important across borders.
Foto: ZDH/Henning Schacht

EU aktuell

Deforestation: Agreement is set, now revise the regulation!

04.12.2024

On December 3, the EU Parliament and Council reached a trilogue agreement on the Deforestation Regulation with the mediation of the EU Commission. Holger Schwannecke, Secretary General of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), explains:
Foto: EP/Fred MARVAUX

EU aktuell

Harmonising EU packaging law, relieving the burden on SMEs

22.11.2023

In a plenary session on 22 November, the members of the European Parliament agreed on a compromise on the planned EU packaging regulation. In this regard, Holger Schwannecke, Secretary General of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH), explains:
Foto: ZDH/Henning Schacht

EU aktuell

Right to Repair: Success only together with craft enterprises

21.11.2023

On 21 November, the European Parliament plenary adopted the draft report on the proposal for a directive to promote the repair of goods (“right to repair”). The parliament also gave a mandate for trilogue negotiations.
Foto: ZDH/Tim Krögel

EU aktuell

Bureaucracy prevents prosperity - focus on enterprises

14.11.2023

On the occasion of meeting up with the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on 14 November, Jörg Dittrich, President of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses (ZDH), states:

That is the reason why it is so important for the ZDH (German Confederation of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses) to be represented in Brussels. The ZDH-European Policy Department makes the complex decision making processes of European institutions more accessible and transparent for the German skilled crafts organisation by monitoring the political affairs in Brussels and reporting back to the organisation. Furthermore, the European Policy Department represents the German skilled crafts' interests vis a vis the European institutions with the aim to achieve practical and appropriate policies.