The VAA's primary goal is to represent its members’ interests. Thanks to the high rate of membership within the companies, contacts are always available for VAA members to consult on-site. Indeed, many dedicated elected representatives of the VAA are present on supervisory boards, executive committees and works councils: they take on positions of responsibility and play an essential part in operational co-determination (Betriebliche Mitbestimmung) and corporate co-determination (Unternehmensmitbestimmung). The general office advises the elected VAA representatives on all matters pertaining to labour law, executive committee law, works constitution law and corporate co-determination law.

The VAA is involved in an ongoing, trusting exchange with the social partners from the Federal Association of Employers in Chemistry (Bundesarbeitgeberverband Chemie – BAVC) and the Mining, Chemical and Energy Industrial Union (Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie, Energie – IG BCE), as well as the Association of the Chemical Industry (Verband der Chemischen Industrie – VCI). The VAA is involved in the development of important laws in Berlin: through its umbrella association, the ULA – United Leaders Association, the VAA was instrumental in providing the impetus for the drafting of the Executive Committees Act (Sprecherausschussgesetz) with its legal initiatives. Furthermore, the association has also helped to mitigate numerous regulations with high liability risks for managerial staff in the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz – AGG) or in the rules on insider trading.

Employees not covered by the standard collective agreement for academic employees in the chemical and pharmaceutic industry, senior executives and highly qualified experts from all industries outside of the chemical sector are represented through our partner association, the German Association of Professional and Managerial Staff (Verband Fach- und Führungskräfte – VFF). The VFF and the VAA join forces here for the provision of the legal service, which is delivered by experienced, competent VAA lawyers in full scope and in the tried-and-tested quality.

The VAA is actively committed to the work of universities and cooperates with the Association of German Chemists (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker – GDCh). The VAA and the VAA applications network give students, PhD candidates and graduates in scientific and technical fields access to valuable information about job opportunities and career paths in the chemical industry and related sectors. The association is in regular contact with other partners such as the Association of doctors and physicians Marburger Bund and the German Pilots’ Association VC.