Umweltbundesamt

For the German Environment Agency, the main aim of chemicals management is to minimise negative effects on our environment and health, conserve resources and, at the same time, maximise the use of chemical applications for sustainable development within planetary boundaries. However, we will only be able to achieve this allegedly straightforward objective if a large number of actors and instr... read more

The group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exceeds the values of the environmental quality standards for chemicals regulated in the German Ordinance on Surface Waters. read more

Persistent organic pollutants are subject to long-range transport and also occur in the environment far from their source. They accumulate in the suspended solids of watercourses and in the food chain. They are toxic to humans and wildlife. read more

Certain chemical substances are harmful to man and the environment. As part of the “AskREACH” EU LIFE project, staff in companies which produce or sell consumer products are able to partake in an online survey on “Substances of Very High Concern” in manufactured products until 30 September 2018. The results will be incorporated in the development of a Europe wide database and app. read more

Substances, as they are referred to on the topic-related web pages here, are chemical elements, compounds and mixtures that have become relevant on account of their chemical, physical and toxicological properties, in particular with regard to their potential to affect human health.  read more

Substances and mixtures can pose a hazard to water bodies. To protect the water bodies from detrimental changes to their characteristics it is required that substances and mixtures that are handled or stored in facilities in Germany are classified for their water-hazardous properties. read more

The AskREACH project aims at raising awareness on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in articles among the European population, retailers and industry. AskREACH will develop a smartphone app which can be used by consumers to readily receive information on SVHC in consumer articles or send information requests to suppliers. The European Chemicals Regulation REACH provides the legal framework. read more

At 13th and 14th of March 2018 the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) held the workshop "PMT and vPvM substances under REACH. Voluntary measures and regulatory options to protect the sources of drinking water". read more