The mask ordering process runs into the hoes of the federal government - suppliers are demanding almost half a billion euros

Created: 02/19/2022, 15:07

By: Astrid Theil

At the beginning of the pandemic, the federal government decided on an ordering process for protective masks, which has now led to numerous lawsuits.

(Iconic image) © Thomas Trutschel/Imago

At the beginning of the pandemic, the federal government chose an ordering process for protective masks that could now cost it dearly.

Berlin – Two years after the start of the corona pandemic, the federal government is still fighting numerous lawsuits from suppliers of protective masks.

According to information from the

, there are currently 87 lawsuits from suppliers and dealers against the federal government.

The payment claims asserted amount to approximately 425 million euros (as of the end of January).

This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Health in response to a request from members of the Left Group in the Bundestag.

At the beginning of the corona pandemic, the German state was desperately looking for protective products and therefore ordered protective masks in a simplified purchasing process.

The then Minister of Health Jens Spahn* (CDU) decided in spring 2020 to use the so-called open house procedure in order to be able to quickly remedy the lack of protective masks.

Start of the pandemic: too many masks ordered due to simplified purchasing procedures

However, the tender volume was not capped, which is why the federal government received and had to accept much more goods than originally thought.

In the case of many deliveries, the federal government subsequently withdrew from the contracts, citing quality defects in the product or late deliveries as the reason.

However, many dealers argued that these reasons did not exist and complained to the district court in Bonn.

The Federal Ministry of Health* is said to have closed about 30 comparisons so far.

According to the information, the "cash payments for damages and legal disputes from the open house procedure" will amount to around 13 million euros by the end of January 2022.

The Ministry of Health also announced in its reply to the MPs of the left that there are currently around 2.4 billion "certified (durable) masks" - i.e. FFP2 and surgical masks - in the federal inventory.

2.4 billion masks in stock: however, half of the masks will expire in 2022 or 2023

The masks are kept at 17 locations across Germany by various service providers.

However, a large part of the stored masks can only be used in the near future.

However, half of the 330 million FFP2 masks* and more than half of the two billion surgical masks will expire in 2022 or 2023.

In addition, since 2020, more than 800 million masks delivered have been blocked for use due to quality defects.

In order to curb the uncontrolled purchase of protective clothing again, the Ministry of Health plans to continue to consult external service providers under Spahn's successor Karl Lauterbach* (SPD).

So far, 36.8 million euros have been paid to the consulting firm EY for support in processing the mask orders, which will continue to provide advice.

Sharp criticism from the left: "Mask chaos" as a "dirty and expensive legacy"

The left faction reacted to the response from the Federal Ministry of Health with sharp criticism.

"Jens Spahn left Karl Lauterbauch a dirty and expensive legacy with the mask chaos," said the left's financial policy spokesman, Christian Görke, to the online platform

.

"I expect that Mr. Lauterbach sweeps through the ministry and ensures complete clarification.

Jens Spahn's mask chaos was expensive and gambled away valuable trust in the state.”