As reported by the Bundestag, the Economics Committee has adopted an amended version of a bill to amend the Radio Equipment Act (20/9873), which provides for standardised charging cables for various electronic devices in order to increase consumer friendliness and reduce electronic waste.
The draft law (take-e-way reported) stipulates that the industry must in future offer consumers standardised charging cables for mobile phones, tablets, notebooks, digital cameras, eBook readers, headphones and similar devices and harmonise the charging interfaces. The draft law is intended to transpose a corresponding EU directive into national law. The SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP parliamentary groups, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group and the AfD parliamentary group voted in favour of the bill. The representative of the Die Linke group abstained.
Most devices must comply with the new regulations by 28 December 2024, all devices by 28 April 2028. There was general approval of the amendment, with the SPD emphasising that implementation took longer than planned. The CDU/CSU parliamentary group welcomed the "anti-cable clutter law" to simplify consumer life and emphasised the need to keep an eye on technological developments. Bündnis 90/Die Grünen emphasised the benefits of the directive, including the reduction of e-waste and financial benefits for consumers as well as the strength of the European single market. The FDP called for greater consideration to be given to sustainability in technological change.
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