[Amendments of occupational laws in Germany and consequences for occupational health]

German legislation with respect to occupational health during recent years is reviewed. Discussed is the occupational safety law and related legislation as the hazardous substances act and the biological hazard act, the occupational health and safety act and the social act VII. Most improvements of occupational standards in Germany are induced by regulations of the European Union. Furthermore initiatives of the federal government and the federal states according to an amendment of the social act VII and the occupational health and safety act, which would induce a reduction of social standards, are discussed. The role of occupational medicine in companies by some of the above mentioned laws is improved. On the other hand the situation of occupational physicians in companies, universities and other agencies is characterized by budget cuts, reduction of occupational standards and loss of importance.