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The European Union (EU) and Germany have announced new regulations covering digital identification, solar energy feed-in tariffs, transparency requirements for large AI systems, and security rules for electronic devices. Here's a breakdown of the changes that will take effect starting from mid-2025.
Digital ID card and passport photos
As of August 1, 2025, German authorities will require digital biometric photos for passports, ID cards, and residence permits. Paper photos will no longer be accepted. These digital photos can be taken at specialized terminals, approved photo studios, or certain drugstores and must be submitted digitally via a QR code. Biometric photos remain valid for six months and can be reused multiple times.
The EU will phase out physical passport stamps starting October 12, 2025, replacing them with an electronic system that relies on biometric data for travelers.
Photovoltaic system feed-in tariffs
From August 1, 2025, new solar panel (photovoltaic) system owners in Germany will receive a reduced feed-in tariff of 7.86 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for partial feed-in, down from previous rates. This tariff is fixed for 20 years after installation.
Transparency requirements for large AI systems
The European Union is emphasizing transparency and accountability for large AI systems, such as ChatGPT and Gemini. The AI Act, a comprehensive EU law on artificial intelligence, requires these systems to disclose their workings and training data.
Security rules for electronic devices
The EU and neighboring countries like the UK are moving towards cybersecurity measures such as banning ransomware payments in public sectors and mandatory cyber incident reporting to protect critical infrastructure. These new rules require electronic devices to meet basic requirements for protection against cyber attacks, data misuse, and fraud.
Key Points
- Digital ID card and passport photos will be required for all new travel documents in Germany and the EU from 2025.
- Solar energy feed-in tariffs for new installations in Germany will be reduced starting in 2025.
- The AI Act aims to make AI more transparent and secure in the EU.
- New security rules will apply to many electronic devices connected to the internet in the EU from August 1, 2025.
- The CE marking ensures compliance with EU health, safety, and environmental protection regulations, including the increased security standard for electronic devices.
These new regulations mark a significant shift towards digitalization, transparency, and security in the EU and Germany. Consumers and businesses should familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure compliance and take advantage of the opportunities they present.
- In light of the new regulations, large AI systems such as ChatGPT and Gemini will need to disclose their workings and training data due to the transparency requirements under the EU's AI Act in digital-and-cloud-computing.
- To secure electronic devices and protect critical infrastructure, the EU and neighboring countries like the UK are implementing measures such as banning ransomware payments in public sectors and mandating cyber incident reporting, thereby enhancing cybersecurity in technology.
