Publications

At the end of September 2023, the World Conference on Chemicals (ICCM5) decided on the follow-up framework for SAICM by adopting the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). The GFC aims to ensure the sustainable use of chemicals worldwide throughout their entire life cycle, including the products and waste produced from them.

The existing award criteria for the Blue Angel eco-label for textiles (DE-UZ 154) have been reviewed as part of a revision and, in addition to expanding and further specifying the scope, have been specifically further developed in individual requirement areas.

Solar radiation modification is highly controversial. The implementation of invasive geoengineering technologies would entail serious and largely unforeseeable ecological, and geopolitical risks. Considerable scientific disagreement exists around the extent of the risks, how they relate to increased risks of climate change, and whether uncertainties could be resolved.

When public contracts are awarded, a significant contribution can be made to the protection of natural resources. However, sometimes there is uncertainty about fire protection requirements for products such as textiles, furniture, or mattresses in the public sector and, if applicable, how the required fire protection can be implemented in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

Vascular plants, mosses and lichens react sensitively to the exposure to air pollutants and pollution from ammonia (NH₃). Critical concentration values for ammonia to protect vegetation (so-called critical levels) were defined for risk assessment in the Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP).

The report for industry and permitting authorities provides an overview of the hazardous substances that can be released into the marine environment during the installation, operation and decommissioning of offshore wind turbines, including transformer stations, converter platforms and cables. The substances relevant to operation were identified and listed.

The report for authorities and scientists provides an overview of substances that can be released into the marine environment from various offshore industries and estimates the quantities of pollutant inputs. These may be relevant as additional contaminants according to European Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 for Descriptor 8, Criterion D8C1.

The report for industry and permitting authorities provides an overview of the best available techniques to prevent emissions of hazardous substances from the offshore wind industry into the marine environment during installation, operation and decommissioning.

The ELONTA project aimed at understanding the relationships between landscape structure, source-sink dynamics and the risk of pesticide use for Non-Target Arthropods (NTAs). It also investigated the effectiveness of introducing two landscape-based mitigation measures: grassy field boundaries and unsprayed field margins.

The project generated ecotoxicological data needed for the development of a tailored testing strategy to assess the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals (progestins and glucocorticoids).

The subject of this project was the preparation of substance reports for five substances or substance groups relevant for building products emissions. For these substances, the toxicological data basis were compiled and evaluated, and EU-LCI values were proposed. The EU-LCI values allow the harmonisation of the health assessment of building products emissions throughout Europe.

Within the framework of the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS), the Federal government presents the 2023 (third) Monitoring Report on the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change.