Chemicals

The AskREACH project aimed at raising awareness on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) in articles among the European population, retailers and industry. AskREACH developed the smartphone app Scan4Chem which can be used to readily receive information on SVHCs in consumer articles or send information requests to suppliers. At the end of 2026, the AskREACH system & app, will be taken ofline.

Earthworms are an important indicator of soil fertility. They aerate the soil, promote root growth, improve water absorption, produce humus and contribute to soil fertility: the new standard test method examines the impact of chemicals on individual species and the earthworm community in field trials.

The next step towards implementing the requirements for environmental risk assessment of nanomaterials: The new standard test method investigates the solubility and dissolution rate of nanomaterials under relevant environmental conditions. It therefore represents an important new building block for an appropriate environmental risk assessment within the framework of chemical safety regulations.

Certain medicines contain per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds, known as PFAS, which are increasingly harming the environment due to their persistence. A new study commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows that many PFAS active ingredients used in medicines can be replaced by alternative active ingredients.

Germany's federal agencies responsible for human and environmental safety present research needs from a regulatory perspective.

How can our built environment become healthier, more climate-friendly, and more resource-efficient? Recommendations for all levels of politics and administration — from the EU to local government — were developed in the EU Interreg project NonHazCity3 and are now presented with policy briefs and a short video. The focus: digital transparency of ingredients of building products and circularity.

A new portal on the strategic approach “Safe and Sustainable by Design” (SSbD) is online as part of the EU partnership PARC. It was created by a group of PARC partners jointly led by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and the German Environment Agency (UBA) and bundles information, tools and teaching materials as well as invites to exchange knowledge.

TFA belongs to the group of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). German authorities demand new hazard classification of the substance considered toxic for reproduction and harmful to the environment.

Heavy metals, plasticisers or the “forever chemicals” PFAS – there are many environmental pollutants that children and young people come into contact with. But how high is their exposure in reality? And what impact can it have on the health of young people?

The conference “PFAS in soil – forever pollution, forever concern?” focused on soil pollution caused by PFAS. Some 150 participants from science, public institutions, industry and environmental organisations attended the conference and 200 more joined via live stream to discuss the risks, in particular for human health. More international cooperation is needed to tackle this problem effectively.

From 10 to 11 September 2024, the 6th REACH Congress took place at the German Environment Agency (UBA) in Dessau-Rosslau with more than 500 experts from companies, scientists, non-governmental organisations and public authorities. The discussion focussed on solutions to avoid harmful emissions of chemicals into the environment.

Together with the Federal Office for Chemicals and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, the German Environment Agency (UBA) has been carrying out a REACH substance evaluation on the registered nanoforms of zinc oxide since 2017. The assessment of the data on the environmental behaviour and effects of the registered zinc oxide nanoforms is now concluded.