Germany's Forklift Safety Checks Go Digital as Regulators Aim to Cut 5,000 On-Site Inspections a Year
Published on 07/03/2026 at 23:23 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A German company has received a new license that allows legally required safety inspections of industrial trucks to be conducted and documented entirely through digital channels. Wosatec, the firm behind the pilot, obtained the approval on Friday, marking a step change for an industry where paper-based checks have long been the norm.
The license covers a wide range of equipment: manual and electric walk-behind trucks, sit-down and stand-on vehicles, as well as driverless transport systems (FTS) and autonomous mobile robots (AMR). Wosatec uses a web-based application that identifies each machine via a QR code. Once the inspection is complete, the system automatically generates a PDF report that serves as a legally binding certificate. The app works offline, removing the need for a constant internet connection in warehouses.
Germany's move toward digital inspection certificates highlights the growing importance of systematic documentation. Yet many UK employers still lack a proper risk assessment process for their workplaces. The free Risk Assessment Toolkit from Health & Safety Adviser provides 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists to help you document hazards and stay compliant with UK regulations. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
The development comes as the sector undergoes simultaneous shifts. A wave of consolidation is reshaping the service business, while the federal government pushes through regulatory reforms aimed at cutting red tape.
In a parallel move, the KION Group AG has taken full control of Linde Leasing GmbH. The acquisition to 100 percent was filed with Germany's Federal Cartel Office on June 26. The consolidation bundles financing, rental, repair and service operations under a single roof, with fleet management from a single vendor becoming the industry standard as maintenance and legal inspection functions merge.
Lawmakers are also driving the trend toward digital records. In early July, the government introduced an amendment to the Gewerbeordnung (Trade Regulation Code). A central provision: electronic submission of inspection certificates is expected to save roughly 5,000 on-site control visits each year. The change forms part of a broader de-bureaucratisation package.
The TÜV association, which represents Germany's technical inspection agencies, welcomed the modernisation but urged caution. "Cutting bureaucracy is the right path," said managing director Joachim Bühler on Friday. "But that must not come at the cost of safety through a blanket reduction of inspections."
Complementing these efforts, digital exchange platforms such as the National Once-Only Technical System (NOOTS) are moving into live operation. Several German states already process procedures in the construction and energy sectors through the system. Over time, that could further simplify documentation duties for logistics firms.
Disclaimer regarding our articles: No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Information on prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes are possible at any time. Stock market transactions can lead to substantial losses. Our articles are created and reviewed in whole or in part automatically with the support of AI.
