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Last changed: 18/02/2010
UBA speaks again in favour of use of the environmentally friendly refrigerant R744 and against the use of HFC-1234yf as a refrigerant in mobile air conditioners. New tests of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) confirm hazards associated with the use of HFC-1234yf.
Some canned PU foams contain HFCs as propellants, and these fluorinated gases have a substantial global warming potential. Since 4 July 2008, the use of these gases has been subject to restrictions, under EU Regulation No 842/2006, except where national safety standards cannot be met using other propellants (hydrocarbons). A study commissioned by UBA concludes that this is now only the case for the use of canned PU foams in coal mining.
The Blue Angel for low-noise and fuel-saving tyres now has even higher standards, thereby anticipating the limit values that will be in force throughout the EU as of 2012. All this is in the name of protecting human health and the environment—and it also happens to be good for the purse. Blue Angel tyres can save car drivers about 50 euros’ worth in fuel per year.
At the ninth meeting of the Network of Heads of European Environmental Protection Agencies, held 24/25 September 2007 in Zagreb (Croatia), a group of members of the network endorsed a discussion paper on the revision of the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC). These member agencies underline the importance of the European Union (EU) adequately addressing the environmental and health impacts of the construction sector. The discussion paper makes proposals to benefit the environment and the better regulation agenda of the European Commission as well as European enterprises in the construction sector.
Sealants, varnishes and paints quite often contain hazardous substances which can pollute the indoor air. Substances with heavy odours are easily detected but many emissions can not be smelled and may harm health all the same. The brochure informs about emissions from building products and is aimed at do-it-yourselfers, architects, civil engineers, and staff members in public health offices, building supervisory boards, and environmental authorities.
Global emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) will increase to 4 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalents by 2050 if no political mitigation measures are taken. The contribution of F-gases to global warming is projected to grow from 1.3% (2004) to 7.9% of total direct CO2 emissions. This is the result of a German study which underlines once more the urgent need for measures to reduce F-gas emissions.
Are you the public official in charge of procuring notebooks that do not cost too much, save energy and are quiet as well? Public tenders on the procurement of environmentally friendly notebooks are often quite complicated due to associated legislation. Some light has now been shed on the darkness by the ITK-Beschaffung.de procurement website featured in German, English and French, as well as a new guideline.
The proposal of the European Commission contains some good new points designed to simplify and improve the enforceability of the RoHS-Directive. But many sections are insufficient in the opinion of UBA: For example, the proposal fails to exclude additional hazardous substances from use in electrical and electronic equipment, and many procedural questions remain unresolved.
Commercial refrigeration systems are one of the major sources of HFC emissions in Germany. The study provides a comprehensive overview of HFC-free systems and equipment for supermarkets offered and used in Europe including information about the energy efficiency and economics of these systems in comparison to conventional systems. It shows that refrigeration systems that contain natural refrigerants have the best climate balance of all currently available technologies.
The brochure wants to encourage companies to take greater advantage of instruments such as product labelling and declaration as a way to communicate environmental information and to document in this way their responsibility for human health and the environment.
UBA supports the first proposals of the European Parliament for an integration of environmental aspects into the revision of the EC Construction Products Directive. Especially for construction products for indoor use, health-related minimum requirements are indispensable to protect the health of all Europeans.