German Bundestag discusses about precaution and innovation

On 9 April 2019, the German Liberals called on the Federal Government to amend the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries in order to install the innovation principle in all impact assessments for federal legislation. They want the Federal Ministries to take into account potential effects of legislative projects on Germany's innovative capacity.

With its motion of 10 April 2019, the German Green Party requested the Federal Government to clarify that the precautionary principle itself and its constitutional status must not be called into question at EU level and that it is therefore clearly superior to simple legislation. It should be strengthened as a driver of innovation for sustainable development.

Following a controversial debate in the German Bundestag, the motions were referred to the now leading Committee for Internal Affairs for further discussion.