In autumn 2021, the new European research project "ZeroPM: Zero Pollution of Persistent, Mobile substances" will start. The German Environment Agency (UBA) is involved as a project partner. ZeroPM will develop political, technological and market-based tools that aim to reduce the use and emissions of persistent and mobile substances as well as contamination from such substances.
Since 2019, the PMT/vPvM criteria have been widely used under the EU´s chemicals legislation REACH to identify and regulate persistent and mobile substances. In fall of 2021 a new research project “ZeroPM” will be initiated aiming at the reduction of Emissions of persistent and mobile substances to better protect the environment and human health from such substances.
Between 2009-2015, the UBA scientifically developed, under the EU´s chemical legislation REACH, new criteria to identify substances which have intrinsic properties that indicate a hazard to the sources of our drinking water. Chemical safety experts and regulators agreed on the need to precautionarily identify such substances of concern. This is considered as the emergence of the PMT/vPvM criteria.
PMT/vPvM substances are persistent and mobile in the aquatic environment. These intrinsic substance properties allow them to spread to the sources of our drinking water. Contamination can be irreparable as these substances remain in the environment and break through filters and survive drinking water treatment. Consequently, registrants under REACH must minimise any emissions into the environment.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a worldwide problem. PCB, which is a POP, has not been used in Germany for years and only occurs in certain wastes.
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) developed at UN level does not take effect directly. To be implemented in a binding way, it must be transposed into the national law of individual states or communities of states. In Europe, this has been done through the CLP Regulation.
