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Last changed: 13/03/2003
In classifying substances according to Water hazard Classes (Wassergefährdungsklasse - WGK) the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety is advised by the Commission for the Evaluation of Substances hazardous to waters (Kommission zur Bewertung wassergefährdender Stoffe - KBwS), which consists of representatives of the federal and state governments, industry and further experts. After enforcement of the new Administrative Regulation on the Classification of Substances Hazardous to Waters into Water Hazard Classes (VwVwS) KBwS classifies mainly substances with water hazard properties that cannot be described satisfyingly by the R-phrase scheme (Annex 3 of VwVwS). Moreover KBwS exercises arbitral tasks.
WGK Classifications by KBwS which have not yet been included in annex 1 or 2 of Administrative Regulation on the Classification of Substances hazardous to waters into Water Hazard Classes (VwVwS) are marked as "KBwS-Beschluss" on this web-site. Another option is that the KBwS modifies excisting WGK classifications on basis of new scientific knowledge. In this case one will find the status "VwVwS" as well as the status "KBwS-Beschluss" for the same substance.These WGK-classifications will be proposed to the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safetyl for the continuation of annex 1 or 2 of next VwVwS.