Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemicals

Enhancement of the REACH requirements for (imported) articles

Options for improvement of the chemicals regulation

The EU might introduce an authorization scheme for imported goods such as clothing, sports gear and toys in the ⁠REACH⁠ Regulation, to aim at a better protection of humans and the environment against Substances of Very High Concern in articles. An UBA study claims that the necessary amendment of the EU chemicals regulation REACH would not breach international trade law. Another simpl...read more

Economy | Consumption

Estimating Gross Employment Effects of Environmental Protection

A Combined Demand-Supply Side Approach

Our paper first outlines the delimitation of environmental employment used in these studies, relating it to Eurostat’s CEPA and CReMA classifications. It then describes the approaches used to estimate environmental employment. Environmental employment originating from the production of environmental goods is estimated by a demand side approach based on environmental protection expenditure using In...read more

Economy | Consumption, Air, Soil | Land, Agriculture

Reactive nitrogen in Germany

Causes and effects - measures and recommendations

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all living beings. However, many compounds containing nitrogen are harmful for the environment. Plant species adapted to nutrient-poor conditions are displaced from forests and heathland. Emissions of nitrous oxide from over-fertilized fields exacerbate climate change. In many places, manure is responsible for nitrate concentrations in groundwater climbing abo...read more

Soil | Land

Updating the Land Use and Land Cover Database CLC for the Year 2012 - „Backdating“of DLM-DE from the Reference Year 2009 to the Year 2006

For the update of land cover according to CORINE Land Cover classes, a specific national approach has been chosen in Germany. This approach uses a more accurate geometry of the Official Topographical Cartographic Information System ATKIS of the land survey authorities. DLM-DE, derived from ATKIS, is to be applied as base for the deduction of CLC classes. In the responsibility of the German Federal...read more

Chemicals, Waste | Resources

Identification of potentially POP-containing Wastes and Recyclates – Derivation of Limit Values

A condition for the setting of limit values is the detailed knowledge of the presence of pollutants in waste, products as well as recyclates. In the present project data were collected on the presence of Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), Hexachlorobutadien (HCBD), Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCN), Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP) in relevant waste, products and r...read more

Chemicals

Concept development for an extended plant test in the environmental risk assessment of veterinary medicinal products

Based on the need for a standardized test design to test the effect of veterinary medicinal products on plants in a more realistic way, the following objectives of this research project arise: Development of a test design for a modified OECD 208 seedling emergence and growth plant test with a more realistic exposure in manured soil; Experimental verification of the practicability of the test desig...read more

Economy | Consumption

Guide to green public procurement of interior-floor coverings, panels, and doors made of wood and timber products

Floor coverings, panels and interior doors made of wood and timber products are often made of numerous materials that are virtually always processed, glued together, painted or coated. This can lead to environmental problems and health issues during the lifetime of such products. This guide discusses environmental criteria for the procurement of floor coverings, panels and interior doors. The guid...read more

Chemicals, Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Environmental protection under TTIP

The declared objective of the planned free trade agreement with the US (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – TTIP) is to unify EU and USA standards as much as possible by regulatory cooperation. However, an improper design of regulatory cooperation carries considerable risks for environmental protection in the EU: environmental standards might be lowered and environmental properties of...read more