Topics | Umweltbundesamt

From 14 to 16 February 2023, the TES Academy held a three-day workshop on "Corruption Prevention as a Prerequisite for Successful Sustainability Transformation". In a video statement, the participating international experts call for cooperation in the prevention of corruption.Corrupt practices are a significant threat to the achievement of the UN sustainability goals. Corruption damages the enviro... read more

Pharmaceuticals, which have become a lynchpin of our high standard of living, improve our quality of life and palliate and cure human and veterinary diseases. However, pharmaceuticals need to be used sparingly and with due care, for their positive effects also entail human and environmental risks and collateral effects. read more

Pollution of the environment by pharmaceuticals is a growing problem. Environmentally sound disposal helps to reduce their unnecessary entry into the environment. To address this issue the German Environment Agency has set up the portal ‘Pharmaceuticals and the environment.’ It provides information and recommendations for pharmaceutical and medical professionals as well as for consumers. read more

To support awareness efforts on the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, the UBA has developed a range of informational materials, some of which are available in multiple languages. These include flyers, posters, postcards, and a birthday calendar, as well as free texts and images that can be used in various media channels. read more

Residues of human medicinal products for human use enter the environment primarily through wastewater. Pharmaceutical substances are highly biologically active and can have harmful effects on living organisms, particularly in aquatic environments. read more

To ensure the long-term protection of ecosystems such as water bodies and soils, and for preventive health protection, the entry of pharmaceuticals into the environment must be sustainably reduced throughout the entire lifecycle of medicinal products. read more

The assessment of the environmental impact of human and veterinary medicinal products has been an integral part of the authorisation process for many years. In Germany, this has been a legal requirement since 1998. The UBA is responsible for conducting the environmental risk assessment. read more

Despite the fact that, according to current knowledge, there are no known effects on human health, precautionary action should be taken to reduce the release of pharmaceutical substances into the environment, especially as there is still no knowledge of the effects of chronic intake – even at low concentrations – on humans and the environment. read more