As German Offices Pass 30°C, Employers Face Legal Duties – and a Market Plagued by Price Hikes and Fakes
Published on 07/05/2026 at 11:14 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
When summer temperatures push a German office past 30°C, the law demands action. The workplace regulation ASR A3.5 sets binding thresholds: once the mercury reaches 26°C, companies should start cooling measures; above 30°C, those steps become mandatory. At 35°C, a room without special safeguards like air showers is simply unfit for work. Yet for many employers, compliance is colliding with a chaotic market for cooling gear.
Branchenbeobachter report steep price surges linked to demand. In some cases, prices for mobile air-conditioning units and fans have quadrupled. Switzerland’s electronics retailers saw sales of climate devices quadruple in June 2024 compared to the previous year. Consumer protection groups are warning of fake shops and overpriced offers, as unscrupulous sellers label simple fans or evaporative coolers as "full air conditioners." A genuine air conditioner extracts heat and pumps it outside; fans merely circulate air, offering perceived coolness. For effective cooling, experts recommend at least 60 watts per square metre.
Amid this market frenzy, Stiftung Warentest recently put 31 fans through rigorous testing. In early July, for the first time, it awarded the top grade "sehr gut" – a 1.4 score – to the Meaco Sefte 10, priced at roughly €130. Several models failed due to technical flaws, including the Clatronic VL 3603 S, the Rowenta VU5640, and units from Steba, Fakir, and Profi Care. A major discounter plans to launch a telescopic fan with battery, oscillation, and nightlight in mid-July. Employers are urged to invest only in certified equipment.
Taking the right steps to manage workplace temperatures is only part of the picture—you also need to document everything properly to stay compliant. The free Health & Safety Toolkit from Health & Safety Adviser gives you ready-to-use risk assessment templates and compliance checklists that cover all UK workplace regulations, including temperature hazards. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit
The regulation itself encourages flexible work schedules to dodge midday heat, free drinks, and the use of fans or portable air-conditioners – provided they meet hygiene rules. For instance, air-conditioners must not raise humidity to unacceptable levels. But so-called "aircoolers," which work via evaporation, pose a different risk. Consumer centres advise caution: they boost room humidity and, without proper ventilation, can promote mould growth and bacterial breeding in their water tanks. Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential.
Beyond office-level measures, political bodies in Basel and Freiburg are calling for broader heat-protection strategies: retrofitting schools and hospitals, adding structural shading, and setting up climate-adaptation funds. The goal is to adjust working and living conditions long-term to rising temperatures. While German employers grapple with immediate legal duties, the broader challenge of adapting to a hotter workplace is only beginning.
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