Updated GEFMA Guidelines Add 20 Inspection Catalogs as Facility Managers Grapple With New Safety and Cybersecurity Rules
Published on 06/25/2026 at 11:25 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Facility managers are confronting an expanding array of compliance demands that now stretch well beyond maintenance logs. Specialised software has become a critical tool for certifications under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, according to a recent analysis from Hoppe Unternehmensberatung. But the stakes are climbing as new robot safety standards and tighter cybersecurity regulations layer on additional requirements.
Digital maintenance systems make workflows not only predictable but also fully auditable. The consultancy stresses that software solutions for planning maintenance work massively simplify audits. Companies can produce centralised evidence of completed measures, strengthening their ability to demonstrate compliance to auditors. Traditional approaches such as Excel lists or Word documents are hitting their limits. They often fail to deliver the level of transparency and isolated risk assessments that modern certification demands.
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The German Facility Management Association (GEFMA) has responded to these trends by updating its guidelines 444 and 445. The GEFMA 444 now contains 20 new inspection catalogs covering topics including auditing, checklists and sustainability. The GEFMA 445 has been expanded to include cleaning management as well as help and service desks. For firms choosing software, these updated certifications serve as an important orientation tool.
Meanwhile, a fresh challenge is emerging from a separate corner of industry. The new ISO 10218:2025 standard for robotics is putting pressure on manufacturers. Kendrion has responded with certified solutions that monitor kinematic safety functions — such as position and speed — within cycle times of just two milliseconds.
IT security requirements are also escalating. Automated vulnerability assessment processes are becoming essential to meet norms like IEC 62443 and the European Cyber Resilience Act. By using automated firmware analysis and software bill of materials (SBOM), companies can cut the effort required for documentation and evaluation by more than 60 percent.
IT service providers are not immune either. They face tightened rules under NIS2 and DORA. An integrated security operation that combines continuous monitoring with regular patch management is evolving from a technical necessity into a strategic competitive advantage.
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