KompetenzInitiative, PR – 29sep2026 – PDF in German.
Autotranslation.
Lawsuit Against the Federal Republic of Germany Calls for Reassessment of exposure Limits for Mobile frequency Radiation.
A group of plaintiffs filed a lawsuit today before the Administrative Court in Berlin against the Federal Republic of Germany. They are demanding that the exposure limits for cellular radiation—which have remained unchanged since their introduction in 1996—be reassessed and significantly tightened.
The core of the case is to demand a court ruling that the current exposure limits no longer reflect the latest scientific understanding of health risks posed by cellular radiation. This is the first time that such a case has gone to trial in Germany. The U.S. Supreme Court has also recently called for such a reassessment.
Attorney Dirk Teßmer, legal counsel for the plaintiffs, with a special focus on environmental law:
“We are presenting to the court the current state of scientific knowledge regarding the health effects of cellular radiation. Since the Federal Ministry for the Environment, which is responsible for health protection and prevention, has failed to act, this lawsuit seeks a court ruling establishing an obligation to adjust the exposure limits. This is not a matter of political assessment, but rather a legal review of the government’s duty to protect public health.”
The plaintiffs do not fundamentally question the expansion of modern communication technologies. They are calling for exposure limits that prevent cellular radiation from causing harm to health—an obligation that also derives from Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Basic Law, which guarantees the right to life and physical integrity.
According to scientists, health effects can occur even at levels below the current limits, including oxidative stress in cells, genetic changes, effects on the nervous system, and reproductive impairments. According to the KompetenzInitiative, many affected individuals report symptoms that they attribute to cell phone radiation and that limit their daily lives.
Prof. Dr. Wilfried Kühling, researcher at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg:
“The scientific debate on the biological effects of cell phone radiation has evolved significantly in recent years—a fact that has not yet been taken into account by the relevant authorities. These findings must be taken into consideration when establishing government protective measures. The lawsuit is now intended to lead to an independent judicial review.”
The current exposure limits have so far provided protection only against the heating of body cells by cellular microwave radiation. Non-thermal effects and possible long-term consequences are not taken into account. An international association of scientists classifies this, according to its own statements, as a serious danger.
A significant portion of the population already clearly attributes various symptoms to excessive cell phone radiation. One of the plaintiffs commented:
“We are taking legal action because we are sick and are not being protected. People need low-radiation environments and safety limits that protect them. Low-radiation environments are a fundamental right—not a special request.”
The lawsuit seeks, in particular, to
- to review protection against non-thermal and potential long-term effects and to incorporate them into the risk assessment,
- to ensure the protection of particularly vulnerable population groups,
- to incorporate new frequency ranges and current technical developments,
- to apply the precautionary principle, as enshrined in environmental law, to cellular radiation as well,
- to review the threshold values regularly in the future, based on independent, pluralistic scientific evidence.
The court’s decision potentially affects the entire population and could have far-reaching implications for future protection against cell phone radiation and other environmental hazards in Germany.
Present at the press conference:
- Two representatives of the plaintiffs
- Attorney Dirk Teßmer, PNT Partner Rechtsanwälte
- Prof. Dr. Wilfried Kühling, expert witness
About the Funkwende – “Funkwende” is a campaign by the Kompetenzinitiative zum Schutz von Mensch, Umwelt und Demokratie e.V.
www.funkwende.de
www.kompetenzinitiative.de
Tel.: +49 (0)4322 / 448 00 17
Mail: presse(@)funkwende.de
Source – Pressemitteilung der Kompetenzinitiative e.V. vom 29.09.2026 – PDF in German
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