Press | Umweltbundesamt

Ms Katherina Reiche, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry, and President Jochen Flasbarth of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) have declared that buildings can be tapped for their enormous potential to boost energy efficiency. At the laying of the foundation stone for a new UBA office building in the Berlin district of Marienfelde, Ms Reiche said, “Buildings play a critical rol... read more

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has just published the free travel guide entitled Die Böden Deutschlands. The updated edition features excursion destinations and discovery tours in all of Germany’s 16 federal states. Highlights include nature and adventure trails that educate visitors about the importance of soils in the respective regions. “Take time with your family and friends to discover... read more

A number of amendments to the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) have boosted the quality standards for drinking water. The centre of attention has been drinking water pipes and systems in buildings which, as has been determined, may not impair the quality of drinking water. Starting this November the drinking water supply systems in commercially used buildings and apartment buildings must be test... read more

The popular research portal “Daten zur Umwelt“ has undergone a comprehensive revamp. The interested public will find answers to all the critical environmental questions such as ‘How clean is the air we breathe?’; ‘How polluted are Germany’s rivers and lakes?’; ‘Does transport still have the same environmental impact that it did 10 years ago?’ Background information about relevant laws and environm... read more

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) announced the deadline for applications to receive free emission allowances for the 2013-2020 third trading period in today’s electronic issue of the Federal Gazette. Installation operators have until 23 January 2012 to submit their applications to the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) at UBA. The background for this was the entry-into-force of the Gre... read more

Corrosive and irritant cleaning agents continue to cause a number of health problems in Germany. 665 cases of poisoning from cleaning detergents were registered In 2009 alone. Moreover, the cleaning agents contaminate the environment with chemicals. Jochen Flasbarth, President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) comments, “the UBA advises against use of cleaning agents that have the orange lab... read more

The volume of Germany’s waste imports is much higher than its exports. According to current calculations for 2010, a total volume of 6.8 million tonnes of waste was imported to Germany. The majority is recycled and reused, for example as building material. Exports amounted to a mere 1.5 million tonnes, thus continuing the trend of previous years. On the other hand, there has been a sharp increase... read more

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) wants to make chemicals safer on an international scale and has proposed adoption of a global chemicals strategy. “The production and use of chemicals in a globalised world has long ceased to be a national matter. The strain they place on mankind and the environment is not contained within national borders either. Therefore, we need to extend international chem... read more