The board of directors advises and decides on fundamental aspects regarding the association's work. It is composed of up to 70 members who are proprietors, legal representatives or executive staff members of member companies and are elected for a term of office of three years. The board is made up of all chairmen of the 23 divisions and the ZVEI nine regional offices. The board, amongst other, adopts the annual financial statement and the budget. Furthermore, it votes internally for the president, up to five vice-presidents and other members of the managing board of directors.