Berlin (dpa) - The industry is demanding because of the corona crisis, deadlines and information requirements for companies to relax.
"Even in normal times, companies can hardly cope with the numerous reporting, inspection and notification requirements," said Achim Dercks, deputy general manager of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), to the newspaper "Welt am Sonntag". "In the current crisis, they can hardly be achieved if politicians stick to the rigid deadlines."
For example, the industry warns that tax, contribution or fee reimbursements are canceled, high fines are imposed or plant approvals could expire if companies missed government deadlines. However, the corona crisis is preventing timely processing, said Dercks. There were no employees who would have to take care of these tasks.
The exemption from the EEG surcharge for energy-intensive businesses alone makes up a total of 5.5 billion euros - and expires without a timely application, said Dercks. The federal government must therefore decide "with the federal states a general decree on the general non-application or postponement of the deadlines for information and reporting obligations of companies".
The Federal Ministry of Economics emphasized: "In the energy industry in particular, some important decisions have already been made to remedy the particular situation unbureaucratically." The authority is in close contact with the business community, and it will also be examined which procedures involve special burdens. In addition, the ministry has started advisory funding aimed at SMEs.