A report by the Federal Audit Court (BRH) has revealed ongoing financial repercussions stemming from the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The BRH’s findings, presented to the parliamentary budget committee and reported by “Der Spiegel”, indicate that masks purchased by the federal government are projected to incur costs of €57 million in 2024 alone.
This figure excludes any payments made to aggrieved mask suppliers who initiated legal action. The audit court highlights what it terms “overprocurement” as the primary driver of these persistent expenses. Costs associated with the storage and disposal of outdated masks, alongside legal consultation related to ongoing litigation, have collectively reached €517 million.
The budget allocated for managing this legacy includes €45 million for 2024, with a combined €67 million earmarked for 2026 and 2027. However, the BRH anticipates significantly higher costs arising from ongoing legal proceedings.
The Ministry itself projects litigation costs of €360 million for the current year, specifically related to the “Open-House” procedure – a process through which the government acquired masks at a fixed price of €4.50 per unit, subsequently resulting in a surplus and the inability to fulfill the initial purchase agreements. An additional €120 million in expenses is estimated for proceedings linked to contracts secured through direct procurement, involving agreements with selected suppliers. These ongoing financial obligations represent a substantial long-term consequence of the government’s pandemic-era purchasing strategy.
