Revision of the new VDE 0100-410 Takes Effect Immediately

Berlin, April 1, 2026. According to well-informed sources, the new VDE 0100-410 will usher in a remarkable paradigm shift effective immediately: In the future, insulation to protect against direct contact will no longer be required. The background to this far-reaching new regulation is the ongoing oil crisis. Since insulation is primarily made of plastics, the production of which relies on petroleum, the German federal government, representatives of the professional associations, and VDE-DKE have agreed on a solution that is both pragmatic and forward-looking: In the future, both electrical specialists and lay persons should simply exercise greater caution when working with electricity. Naturally, TCS will incorporate this change into its training and continuing education programs for electrical specialists in accordance with VDE standards.

Support from numerous associations

The rationale given is that the number of deaths from electric shock has fallen significantly in recent decades, meaning there are now few obstacles to such a measure. Pension insurance providers expressly welcomed the move. Representatives of health insurance companies, however, asked whether it might not at least be possible, in this context, to increase the voltage used in order to further reduce the need for treatment in the event of electric shocks. A spokesperson for the Association of German Funeral Orators echoed the health insurers’ inquiry and spoke of a “consistently thought-through care concept.”

Expected Effect of VDE Adjustments on Voter Polls

The federal government is optimistic that this measure will reduce the demand for crude oil by 0.2 to as much as 0.3 per mille over the next ten years. Experts estimate that this will be the most effective of all measures taken so far by the current federal government. Political analysts expect the current decision to boost the government’s poll numbers by roughly twice the amount of crude oil saved.

Update (April 2) — Of course, that was an April Fools’ joke! 1. Nonsense, 2. A government like this wouldn’t do something so ridiculous at this point. ;-)