Germany’s National Regulatory Control Council (NKR) has offered a positive assessment of Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger’s initiative to reduce bureaucratic burdens. Lutz Goebel, head of the NKR, described the move as “a very important signal – particularly because it sets clear deadlines for the ministries and creates concrete pressure for reform” according to a statement to the “Handelsblatt” newspaper.
Goebel emphasized that successful bureaucracy reduction requires a cross-departmental approach and centralized control, stating that the Minister’s proposal aims to achieve precisely that.
Minister Wildberger has written to his fellow ministers urging them to contribute to a substantial reduction in bureaucratic processes. The letter, reported on by the “Handelsblatt” and initially by “Bild”, signals a shift in approach, seeking to “turn over a new leaf” and improve upon past efforts in this area. The Digital Ministry estimates the planned reduction in bureaucracy will amount to around 16 billion euros. Considering annual bureaucratic costs for businesses are estimated at 65 billion euros, this represents a potential decrease of 25 percent. The ministries have been given a deadline of September 15th to submit specific proposals for reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
Goebel described the 16 billion euro target as “ambitious, but achievable” provided all ministries deliver substantive proposals that go beyond superficial changes. He identified finance, justice, health and labor & social affairs as areas with the highest bureaucratic costs, suggesting these should be prioritized.
“The NKR will closely monitor which proposals genuinely offer relief and how firmly they are integrated into legislative processes” Goebel stated. He stressed the importance of moving beyond isolated initiatives, stating, “We need systematic approach, speed and political staying power”.