German Companies Win Relief as Safety Officer Threshold Doubles and Digital Consultations Approved
26.06.2026 - 01:42:42 | boerse-global.de
A significant shake-up in German workplace regulation takes effect immediately: businesses must appoint safety officers only once they employ 50 staff, double the previous threshold of 20. The move targets bureaucratic overload in small and medium-sized enterprises, though high-risk sectors still require officers from 20 employees.
Parliament passed the amendment to § 22 SGB VII on March 26, and the Bundesrat gave its consent on May 8. The government insists that the overall level of occupational safety remains intact. The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) is already drafting an updated DGUV Vorschrift 1 to reflect the new rules.
For larger firms, requirements actually tighten. Any company with 250 or more workers must now name at least two safety officers rather than one.
Keeping your risk assessments up to date is essential, especially as safety officer requirements shift. A free toolkit offers 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists that simplify compliance and help you document hazards effectively. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Virtual Safety Visits Coming in 2026
A second reform arrives on July 1, 2026, when the revised DGUV Vorschrift 2 enters force. It permits company doctors and safety specialists to conduct advisory sessions by video — but only after they have completed an initial on-site inspection of the workplace.
The pool of approved experts is also broadening. Alongside traditional safety engineers, occupational psychologists and biologists may now be integrated into care models. The reasoning: psychological stress and biological hazards are growing in importance across modern work environments.
Firms will additionally be required to document annual continuing education proof for their safety professionals. A new DGUV Regel 100-002 is being prepared as a practical guideline.
Tighter Rules Elsewhere
While occupational safety is being streamlined, other regulatory demands are hardening.
Since the start of 2025, craft businesses must independently review whether the results of official audits affect any unexamined tax returns. Dental practices face a June 30 deadline to replace RSA certificates on electronic health professional cards; from July 1 the ECC standard becomes mandatory.
With stricter enforcement and higher fines on the horizon, having comprehensive health and safety documentation is no longer optional. A free toolkit provides all the essential checklists, risk assessments, and toolbox talks you need to stay compliant and protect your business. Get the free Health & Safety Toolkit
The Technology Task Force warns that many companies still haven't implemented the EU NIS2 directive, which has applied since October 2024 to firms with 50 or more employees in critical sectors. Violations can trigger fines of up to €10 million or 2 percent of global annual turnover.
On June 7, the EU Pay Transparency Directive took effect. It requires salary information in job advertisements and reporting obligations for businesses with at least 100 employees. A German implementing law is still missing, but the directive already has partial direct effect. A draft bill that would introduce more flexible maximum working hours and a mandatory electronic time-recording system has also been presented.
