Updates in August: Anticipated alterations affecting you directly
In August 2025, the European Union (EU) will see a series of regulatory changes, with a primary focus on waste battery disposal and AI transparency.
Battery Disposal and Regulation
The EU has implemented a new Batteries Regulation, replacing the previous Batteries Directive, which entered into force on August 17, 2023. This new regulation includes updated methodologies for calculating and verifying recycling efficiency and recovery of materials from waste batteries.
However, due diligence obligations under this new framework for battery producers and exporters, originally set to apply from August 18, 2025, have been delayed by two years to August 18, 2027, to allow stakeholders more time to prepare and address verification capacity issues.
The updated EU Waste Catalogue, including new waste codes for battery-related materials aimed at improving traceability and waste shipment controls, came into force on June 9, 2025, with binding classification rules applying from November 9, 2026.
AI Regulations
Stricter rules for AI companies will apply in all EU member states with the AI Act, requiring companies like OpenAI to disclose their algorithms and training data, ensuring more transparency for users regarding AI companies.
Other Regulatory Changes
- The use of paper photos is no longer allowed when applying for an ID document. Digital photos can be taken at government offices, by a photographer, or at a drugstore, and securely transferred to the office via the cloud.
- Legal management assistants will learn about electronic file management in the future.
- The general 3.6% rate for the contribution rate will now be calculated for the pension.
- The current feed-in compensation is 7.94 cents/kWh for 10 kWp, but it will decrease to 7.87 cents from August.
- From August, new rules for the contribution to long-term care insurance will apply to pensioners. The increased long-term care insurance contribution will be deducted directly from the pension from August.
- Modernized training regulations for five training professions will come into effect from August.
- The training for office management clerk will increasingly include digital work processes.
- A free newsletter is available on the 95.5 website, providing updates on top concerts, exclusive competitions, and insights into Larissa Lannert live.
- Deutsche Bahn will reroute trains via an alternative route during the renovation.
- From August, new batteries will bear a quality seal and QR codes containing information about environmental impact and recyclability will be mandatory.
- The train route between Berlin and Hamburg will be closed from August until the end of April 2026 for a general renovation.
In summary, the significant EU change occurring in August 2025 focuses on battery disposal through the enforcement of the new Batteries Regulation for recycling and waste management, with a notable delay in the enforcement of the due diligence requirements until 2027. Other areas you asked about do not show specific regulatory changes in August 2025 based on current data.
- In line with the regulatory changes in August 2025, the European Union (EU) will be enforcing stricter policy-and-legislation on waste battery disposal with the new Batteries Regulation.
- Furthermore, the AI Act, a part of the EU's policy-and-legislation on technology, will require greater transparency from AI companies, such as OpenAI, by August 2025.
