Main Committee General Affairs (HAA) in Procurement Law 2026

Definition: The Main Committee General Affairs (HAA) is a central body of the German Procurement and Contracts Committee for Construction Services (DVA) that develops and updates the general, cross-trade rules of the VOB, in particular general questions concerning VOB/A and VOB/B.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: VOB/A 2019, VOB/B 2016

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What is the Main Committee General Affairs (HAA)?

The Main Committee General Affairs (HAA) is one of the most important expert bodies of the German Procurement and Contracts Committee for Construction Services (DVA) and deals with the cross-cutting, non-trade-specific regulatory areas of the Award and Contract Regulation for Construction Services (VOB). While other committees of the DVA are responsible for specific trades or sub-areas of VOB/C, the HAA has a cross-cutting function: it deals with the fundamental questions of procurement and contract law that apply equally to all construction services.

The HAA is composed on a parity basis and brings together representatives of public contracting authorities, the construction industry and the planning professions.

Tasks of the HAA

The HAA coordinates and develops the fundamental regulatory areas of the VOB that are not assigned to a specific trade or sub-committee.

Its core tasks include:

• Updating VOB/A: Monitoring and evaluating case law on VOB/A and developing proposals for adjustments when the statutory framework (GWB, VgV, EU directives) changes
• Updating VOB/B: Reviewing and adapting the general contractual terms, particularly in light of BGH case law and the works-contract law of the BGB
• General procurement-law questions: Addressing fundamental questions arising from construction procurement practice, e.g. selection criteria, evaluation issues, claims management
• Coordination with other DVA bodies: Coordinating with the trade-specific committees responsible for the VOB/C rules (ATV)

Composition

The HAA is composed on a parity basis of contracting authority and contractor representatives, thereby ensuring the balance of the rules developed.

On the contracting authority side, the following are typically represented:

• Federal Construction Administration (BMWSB)
• Representatives of the Conference of State Construction Ministers
• Municipal umbrella associations

On the contractor side:

• Main Association of the German Construction Industry (HDB)
• Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB)
• Association of Consulting Engineers (VBI) and architects' associations

Significance for procurement law practice

The work of the HAA has a direct impact on procurement practice, since the changes to the VOB it develops feed into every public construction procurement procedure. Procurement practitioners on both the contracting authority and contractor sides should follow the current developments at the HAA and the resulting VOB amendments closely.

FAQ

How can the work of the HAA be followed? The results of the HAA's work are reflected in the periodically updated VOB versions. DVA announcements are communicated through specialist journals (e.g. NZBau, ZfBR) and the DVA's website.

Does the HAA have decision-making power? The HAA develops recommendations that are submitted to the DVA plenum for adoption. The VOB amendments become legally binding only upon publication of the new VOB edition.

Is the HAA open to the public? No, the HAA's meetings are not public. However, the rules it develops (the VOB) are fully publicly accessible.

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Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in procurement law.