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Press Release No. 1/26 (English translation)
Lawsuit Against the Federal Republic Demands Reassessment of Mobile Phone Radiation Limits
A group of plaintiffs is filing a lawsuit today with the Administrative Court of Berlin against the Federal Republic of Germany. They demand that the limits for mobile phone radiation—unchanged since their introduction in 1996—be reassessed and significantly tightened.
For the first time, the lawsuit seeks a judicial determination that the current limits no longer correspond to the current scientific understanding of health risks from mobile phone radiation. A similar reassessment was recently demanded by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Attorney Dirk Teßmer, legal representative of the plaintiffs and specialist in environmental law:
“We are presenting the court with the current scientific state of knowledge regarding the health effects of mobile phone radiation. Because the Federal Environment Ministry—responsible for health protection and precaution—has remained inactive, the lawsuit seeks a judicial determination that the government is obligated to adjust the limits. This is not about political evaluation, but about a legal review of the state’s duty to protect.”
The plaintiffs do not fundamentally question the expansion of modern communication technologies. They demand limits that prevent mobile phone radiation from harming health—a duty also derived from Article 2(2) of the German Basic Law, which guarantees the right to life and physical integrity.
According to scientists, health effects can occur even below the current limits, including oxidative stress in cells, genetic damage, effects on the nervous system, and impairments of reproduction. According to the Kompetenzinitiative, many affected individuals report symptoms they attribute to mobile phone radiation, which restrict their daily lives.
Prof. Dr. Wilfried Kühling, scientist at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg:
“The scientific discussion about biological effects of mobile phone radiation has advanced significantly in recent years—yet the responsible authorities have not taken this into account. These findings must be incorporated into the determination of protective measures. The lawsuit is intended to lead to an independent judicial review.”
The current limits protect only against the heating of body cells caused by mobile phone microwaves. Non‑thermal effects and possible long‑term consequences remain unconsidered. An international association of experts considers this a serious danger. A significant portion of the population already attributes various symptoms clearly to excessive mobile phone radiation.
One of the plaintiffs states:
“We are suing because we are sick and not being protected. People need low‑radiation spaces and limits that actually protect. Low‑radiation spaces are a basic right—not a special request.”
The lawsuit aims in particular to:
- review protection against non‑thermal and possible long‑term effects and include them in risk assessment,
- ensure protection for particularly sensitive population groups,
- incorporate new frequency ranges and current technological developments,
- apply the precautionary principle anchored in environmental law to mobile phone radiation,
- ensure that limits are regularly reviewed based on independent, pluralistically composed scientific expertise.
The court’s decision potentially affects the entire population and could have fundamental significance for future protection against mobile phone radiation and other environmental burdens in Germany.
Present at the press conference:
- Two spokespersons for the plaintiffs
- Attorney Dirk Teßmer, PNT Partner Rechtsanwälte
- Prof. Dr. Wilfried Kühling, expert
About “Funkwende”
Funkwende is a campaign of the Kompetenzinitiative for the protection of people, the environment, and democracy e.V.
www.kompetenzinitiative.de Tel.: +49 (0)4322 / 448 00 17 Email: presse@funkwende.de
presse@funkwende.de
