The background of the draft law is the increasing burden on companies due to statistical reporting obligations over the years. Many businesses have to provide extensive data multiple times a year, often on topics for which the administration already has information, such as through tax offices or social insurance institutions. For small and medium-sized enterprises, this is often disproportionately time-consuming and cost-intensive.

The draft law proposes the abolition of certain national reporting obligations, raising threshold values, and making increased use of existing administrative data. This is intended to relieve companies of around 10 million euros annually. The DIHK considers these steps a good beginning but points out that compared to the estimated total bureaucracy costs of 64 billion euros per year, the impact is minimal. A noticeable reduction of bureaucracy across the economy has not yet been achieved.

At the same time, the DIHK highlights a conflict of interest. While companies should be relieved, important regional economic data must not be lost. IHKs, associations, and policymakers need this information to properly assess local economic trends, investments, and structural changes, as well as to support informed political decisions. Excessive reduction of surveys could lead to blind spots in this area.

Therefore, the DIHK advocates for a consistent paradigm shift: less reporting effort for businesses while making smarter use of already available data following the "once-only principle." It also demands binding timelines, practical tests with companies, and further reform steps during the modernization of business statistics. The goal should be a modern statistical system that strengthens competitiveness, reduces bureaucracy, and simultaneously provides a reliable basis for economic policy.

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DIHK statement on reducing bureaucracy in business statistics (PDF, 141 KB) (only available in German)