The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is causing global warming. Air temperatures of ground-level atmospheric layers are therefore also rising. If certain temperature levels are reached, the climate system could react by changing abruptly and severely, e.g. Greenland’s ice could melt, sea levels could rise, Arctic sea ice would melt, the Arctic itself would become warm... read more
Import of waste subject to authorisation rose in 2007
Germany imported about 6.2 million tonnes (mn t) of waste subject to authorisation in 2007. After a two-year decline, imports have resumed their climb despite the ban on storage of organic wastes that entered into force in 2005. However, this volume is still below the record set in 2004 (6.5 mn t). Exports on the other hand dropped slightly to 1.8 mn t. Expert estimates for 2008 reveal no signifi... read more
Bye bye standby: EU Commission declares war on standby losses
On July 7, delegates of the EU member states and European Commission (EC) endorsed a proposal for a regulation reducing so-called standby power consumption in household and office products. Once approved by the EU Parliament, the new regulations on electronic devices will take effect as of 2010. The EC Regulation will also be effective in all 27 EU Member States immediately. As a result of the pla... read more
Saving petrol, staying mobile - despite high fuel prices
At the start of the summer fuel prices are reaching new record highs in Germany. The frustration felt by many people is understandable. There is no easing of fuel prices in sight, given the rising demand and scarce finite reserves of oil. ”Simply complaining won’t help. Each and everyone of us can take real steps to control and reduce fuel consumption. ”Ladylike” driving style can help: low revs... read more
Waste incineration and waste prevention are not a contradiction in terms
Waste incineration does not oppose waste prevention, states the conclusion of a new background paper issued by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). ”The prevention principle continues to take priority over recycling and disposal of waste”, said UBA President Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge. ”Thermic valorisation of waste, however, is an unavoidable chapter in sustainable waste management. Waste incinerat... read more
Ban on DecaBDE flame retardant in electronic and electrical equipment in effect on 1 July 2008
Electronic and electrical equipment that is marketed in Europe may no longer contain the flame retardant Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) after 1 July 2008. This regulation applies regardless of the origin of the product and all its components. The President of the Federal Environment Agency, Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, said, ”This finally puts an end to the presence of the highly problematic subst... read more
New Internet portal to provide public authorities guidance in purchasing computers
Public authorities and offices must adhere to complicated regulations when purchasing modern technology. European and German law prohibit identification of brand names in public tenders. This becomes especially tricky when ordering IT and communications technology since brand-name products are often desired. There is now a solution provided by a new online portal http://www.itk-beschaffung.de/, wh... read more
First eco-label with same award criteria for Germany and China
Cooperation between the German Blue Angel eco-label and the Chinese eco-label has borne fruit: the two institutions responsible in both countries- the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and the RAL German Institute for Quality Assurance and Certification in Germany, and the Environmental Certification Center of the Chinese Environment Ministry- jointly determined for the first the award criteria for... read more
