In February 2023, things will change again for consumers in Germany.
This applies, among other things, to energy-saving lamps, the obligation to wear masks and beer prices.
Berlin – May is not the new thing this time, as the saying goes: In February 2023 there will be new laws and changes that will also affect consumers in Germany in their everyday lives.
This affects things to do with cars, beer prices, but also the construction of wind turbines.
All changes and new laws in February 2023 in a large overview.
Changes in Germany: New law in February 2023 - "Wind-an-Land" law comes into force
It is one of the few new laws that will be changed in February 2023 and will affect almost all consumers in Germany.
We are talking about the "wind on land" law.
The aim behind this is to speed up approval procedures for the construction of onshore wind turbines.
This means that construction should go faster.
Specifically, the "Wind-on-Land-Gesetz" provides that appropriate areas are made available for wind energy.
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In February 2023 there will be some changes in Germany.
In addition, new laws are coming into force that affect consumers.
© Martin Gerten/Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa/Montage
In this way, the electricity generated from renewable energies (RE) is to be doubled by 2030.
In addition, it is planned that two percent of the total area in each federal state must be reserved for wind power by 2032.
1.7 percent must be in place by 2027.
From February 2023, however, the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) will also be affected by the "Wind-on-Land" law.
It was amended so that from now on landscape protection areas can also be considered as locations for wind turbines.
Change in February 2023: New first aid kits must be in the car
Also from February 1, 2023, a change will take effect that is relevant for all car owners.
Two face masks must then be included in new first aid kits.
In return, one bandage cloth less can be included.
The triangular scarf falls away completely.
However, this change in February 2023 does not necessarily mean retrofitting.
Because before you buy a new car, the old first aid kit is sufficient.
Changes on the train: Masks are no longer required on long-distance trains from February 2, 2023
In local public transport (ÖPNV), the mask requirement has long since ceased to be an issue in many federal states.
From February 2, 2023 there will be a change and the said mask requirement will now also apply to long-distance public transport.
As early as February 1st, the mask requirement in public transport will also fall in Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Other federal states, more precisely Hesse, Bremen, Lower Saxony, Saarland and neighboring Rhineland-Palatinate, will follow suit the next day.
In Thuringia (February 3), Bremen, Lower Saxony (February 2) and Hamburg (February 1), the obligation to isolate after a corona infection no longer applies.
Certain energy lamps may no longer be manufactured from the end of February 2023
From the end of February 2023, however, the law will also change that certain energy-saving lamps may no longer be manufactured.
Accordingly, only remaining stocks of the affected lamp types can then be purchased.
This specifically affects so-called contact fluorescent lamps with plug-in bases (CFLni) and ring-shaped fluorescent lamps (T5 and T9).
A production ban applies across the EU.
Beer price changes in February 2023: Barley juice becomes more expensive - which beer brands are affected by the price increase
Anyone who likes to drink beer will have to dig deeper into their pockets in Germany from February 2023 due to a change.
After all, the manufacturers are turning the screw on the price of beer.
As
Beverage News
reported, citing the Warsteiner Group, bottled beer prices will increase by EUR 6.80 per hectolitre, and prices for draft beer will increase by EUR 20.
The following beer brands are affected by the price increases:
Warsteiner
Herforder
Frankenheim
King Ludwig
Kaltenberg
Paderborn
Isenbeck
But the beer is not getting more expensive everywhere.
Warsteiner is only following suit, the increases from the other manufacturers have already been largely implemented.
If you are sick in February 2023, you must take into account changes to the AU certificate
Anyone who has to call in sick for the first time this year in February 2023, hopefully without a party background, and who is also legally insured, should not ignore the changes to the AU certificate.
Because since January 1, 2023, employees no longer have to worry about the certificate of incapacity for work, the "yellow certificate", for the employer.
The health insurance company has recently been sending the data electronically to the employer.
However, this rule does not apply to privately insured persons.
Cash discount increases to two euros in February 2023
From February 1, 2023, pharmacies will be asked to pay more.
Because the cash discount for pharmacies will increase from 1.77 to two euros in 2023 and 2024. Among other things, this additional income is intended to close the financial gap in the statutory health insurance system.
List of rubrics: © Martin Gerten/Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa/Montage