Germany overshoots the mark when it comes to cell phone updates
The EU would like to force cell phone manufacturers to carry out longer security updates. But that does not go far enough for the Federal Government. The rules should be even stricter. Germany would also like to put more pressure on when it comes to spare parts for smartphones.
The EU Commission wants to make smartphones and tablets more sustainable. That is why we are currently working on a new set of rules according to which the manufacturers at least five years of security updates need to distribute for their devices. In addition, it should be mandatory to keep the software up-to-date for a period of at least three years. As it now turns out, the federal government’s plans do not go far enough.
Cell phone updates: Federal government wants seven years
According to a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Economics, the EU’s plans are welcomed, but should be even stricter. Security updates should for seven years be distributed. This period is also imagined when providing spare parts. The EU Commission, however, plans with five years for spare parts.
There is also disagreement on the question of how quickly manufacturers will Spare parts for smartphones and have to provide tablets. Here, too, the federal government would like to advocate stricter rules. The EU is currently assuming a maximum delivery time of five working days. There is still a need for discussion, said the spokeswoman. The aim is to “increase the reliability and repairability of the devices”.
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Stricter update rules: Manufacturers are waving their hand
The manufacturers of smartphones and tablets think little of stricter rules. According to the industry association Digitaleurope, which represents Samsung, Huawei and Apple, among others, security updates should be distributed for three years, while software updates will end after two years. In addition, only displays and batteries should be viewed as spare parts and not other components such as cameras, loudspeakers and microphones.
Even with new ones Minimum requirements for batteries do not want to befriend the production. The EU wants to enforce that after 1,000 charging cycles there is still at least 80 percent battery capacity. Digital Europe would prefer a transition phase in which 800 cycles are sufficient (source: heise online).
