Elevator Safety and AI Rules Tighten: German Property Managers Face a Compliance Crunch
Published on 07/26/2026 at 08:02 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Property owners and facility managers across Germany are confronting a wave of new regulatory deadlines that touch everything from elevator maintenance to artificial intelligence. The requirements, spanning European directives and national laws, demand immediate attention to avoid steep penalties.
Elevator training becomes a legal necessity
The safe operation of lifts in commercial buildings now requires more than routine oversight. Industry experts recommend manufacturer-independent training for elevator attendants that goes beyond standard building management. Core duties include emergency evacuations and regular visual and functional inspections.
Participants who pass the examination receive a certificate. Refresher courses should take place annually — a step that not only boosts safety but also forms part of the operator's legal obligations, helping to reduce liability risks.
Staying on top of these legal duties means documenting every safety procedure properly. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit provides 41 ready-made templates and checklists to help you manage workplace hazards and keep your compliance records in order. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Public transit upgrades show the stakes
Recent projects in public transport underscore the importance of maintenance. At Wuppertal's Varresbecker Straße, a modernized elevator resumed service on July 23. Work on a second unit begins immediately on July 30, with completion expected in ten weeks.
The industry is also investing in its future workforce. On July 21, dormakaba opened a new training center in Ennepetal, spending over ten million euros on advanced manufacturing equipment for mechanical and electrical trades.
NIS2 and the Machinery Regulation: new compliance burdens
European digital and safety directives are reshaping how technical systems are managed. The most pressing is the NIS2 implementation law. Operators of large property portfolios or critical infrastructure must document their IT security — this applies to companies with at least 50 employees or annual revenue exceeding ten million euros.
The registration deadline with authorities is July 31, 2026. Violations carry fines of up to ten million euros or two percent of global annual turnover.
Tighter rules arrive in January 2027, when the new EU Machinery Regulation takes effect for all new equipment. Companies must update documentation covering software, cybersecurity, and remote maintenance. Existing installations do not need retrofitting, but any device placed on the market after January 20, 2027, must meet the fresh requirements.
AI competence becomes mandatory
Digitalization is now reaching building management directly. Starting August 2, 2026, the next phase of the EU AI Act comes into force, introducing a labeling requirement for AI-generated content. Authorities can also demand proof of staff AI competence when AI systems are in use.
With the EU Machinery Regulation and NIS2 deadlines approaching, having the right safety documentation is more critical than ever. A free comprehensive Health & Safety Toolkit gives you risk assessments, checklists, and templates aligned with UK regulations to help you stay compliant. Get the free Health & Safety Toolkit
For facility managers, this means training records for employees working with smart building systems will grow in importance. Specialist literature on accident prevention — such as the updated edition on the EU Machinery Regulation expected in August 2026 — is designed to help operators document risk assessments legally and set correct maintenance intervals.
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