Bundestag facilitates real laboratories

26.05.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The SPD and CDU/CSU want to strengthen real-world laboratories with a new law. The draft provides for more standardized approvals, while at the same time launching an innovation portal for the exchange of experience.

The SPD and CDU/CSU coalition parties want to improve the conditions for real-world laboratories in Germany with a joint bill. The bill will be discussed in its first reading in the Bundestag on May 22. The aim is to better anchor real-world laboratories in law as an instrument for promoting innovation and regulatory learning.

Gitta Connemann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), emphasized the importance of innovation-friendly framework conditions: "Rigid regulation must no longer be allowed to slow down innovation. New ideas must find their way to the market quickly." Real-world laboratories offer SMEs, founders and start-ups the opportunity to prove their potential under real-life conditions. Protection and safety standards would continue to be guaranteed.

Real-world laboratories are temporary test environments in which new technologies, services or processes can be tested under real conditions and with the involvement of the authorities.

According to the draft law, the current legal framework often hinders such projects, for example due to uncertainties or a lack of flexibility with regard to approvals. The draft is therefore intended to clarify terms and create guidelines for a more innovation-friendly approval practice.

Internet platform for exchange

One component of the law is the legal establishment of the Reallabore innovation portal. This went online at the same time on behalf of the BMWE. It will initially be operated in a four-year pilot phase. The digital platform serves as a central point of contact for companies, authorities and other stakeholders who are planning or want to carry out real-world laboratories. The portal is intended to be the first step towards a more comprehensive "Federal Experimentation Act".
According to the draft, the portal bundles information, practical aids and advisory services for the approval, implementation and evaluation of real-world laboratories. It is also intended to organize the transfer of knowledge between practice and legislation so that successful projects can be transferred to regular application more quickly. Findings from the real-world laboratories flow directly into the further development of the legal framework via the portal.

A virtual mailbox enables stakeholders to point out legal hurdles.
The portal draws on the Reallabore network, which has more than 1,000 members. Their expertise is pooled in specialist groups and a mentoring program.

An interactive map shows ongoing and completed real-world laboratories in Germany in order to promote knowledge transfer and simplify bureaucratic processes. The focus areas include projects with autonomous vehicles, unmanned aviation applications and innovative neighborhood solutions.

Real-world laboratory law is delayed

An earlier draft bill from the federal government had already been introduced in the last legislative period, but was not passed. With the new attempt, the SPD and CDU/CSU parliamentary groups want to send a "positive signal for the promotion of innovation", according to the draft. With the debate in the Bundestag on May 22, the parliamentary process will now begin in which the draft will be further developed and, if necessary, adapted. According to the parliamentary groups, the aim remains a nationwide, uniform and practicable regulation for real-world laboratories.

The innovation portal and the real-world laboratories network are available on the Internet.

Author: Susanne Harmsen