The German government will ask the EU commission to extend the use of spare parts and security updates for smartphones for seven years instead of the proposed five years, c’t magazine reports citing a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The government will require stricter environmental rules for smartphones and tablets in negotiations with the EU Commission. It will also require that spare parts be made available "at a reasonable price". The EU Commission recently proposed to make updates and replacement parts mandatory for five years, while parts for tablet would be available for six years. The Commission plans to make manufacturers publish the prices of spare parts.
The German government will also put on the table the question of the delivery time of the spare parts. The EU Commission is currently planning a maximum delivery time of five working days.
The government supports the Commission's initiative to introduce eco-design rules, an energy label and an index to repair for smartphones and tablets. The production of the devices causes the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions and only part of the raw materials can be recovered during recycling.
Industry association Digitaleurope, which represents manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung and Huawei, believes the proposal by the Commission is too strict. In a position paper, the association suggests manufacturers delivering security updates for three years and function updates for two years. Moreover, according to the association, manufacturers should only have to deliver displays and batteries. Digitaleurope said the minimum requirements for the life of batteries goes too far.
