Press | Umweltbundesamt

They elasticise rubber, but they are toxic: anthracene oils extracted from black coal are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. As a rule PAHs persist in the environment, bioaccumulate, and are toxic. However, they continue to be used in products such as flip-flops or rubber handles. The European Union (EU) has already largely banned the use of PAHs in car tyres and foodstuffs. However, the F... read more

As of 16 June 2011 only highly efficient three-phase asynchronous motors with a performance range of 0.75 - 375 kilowatts (kW) may be put on the market. The Ecodesign Regulatory Committee endorsed these standards for electric motors in the EU Member States and issued them in the Official Journal of the EU as Regulation 640/2009, thereby establishing minimum standards in energy efficiency for three... read more

Circulating pumps are present in every house, yet hardly anyone knows how much electricity they consume although they easily rank as one of a household’s biggest power consumers. The use of highly efficient circulating pumps saves energy and CO2, and can save consumers money as well. Therefore, on 22 July 2009, the EU Commission adopted certain minimum efficiency standards in circulating pumps. As... read more

The energy experts agree that both cost and environmental factors provide good reasons to bid the light bulb farewell. Some see this differently and are hoarding light bulbs, probably because of old prejudices held against energy-saving lamps. Experts in electricity savings at the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) and the Federal Environment Agency are doing away with these prejud... read more

After serving as President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) for 14 years, Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge was retired at his own request today (28 July 2009). During a symposium held at the UBA offices in Dessau-Roßlau Federal Minister for Environment Gabriel handed Prof. Dr. Troge his document of discharge. Until a successor is appointed, UBA Vice President, Dr.Thomas Holzmann, will perform the du... read more

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved two onboard disinfection systems for ballast water developed in Germany. The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) granted international approval of the new processes on 17 July 2009, and type approval in Germany can now follow. There is now a total of 30 ballast water disinfection systems worldwide. Germany, in addition to... read more

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) recognised the 50th environmental association in July, thereby granting it the right to appeal. There are now 50 environmental associations throughout the country that are entitled to the special rights to file action provided for in the German Environmental Appeals Act (UmwRG) and act as advocates of the environment in a court of law. These associations can n... read more

An accident at the ICMESA chemicals plant near the town of Seveso on 10 July 1976 released a toxic cloud consisting mainly of dioxins and poisoning a densely populated area of six square kilometres. This environmental catastrophe finally triggered serious efforts to make the production and application of chemicals safe. The highly toxic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8 TCDD) released a... read more