Topics | Umweltbundesamt

At 13th and 14th of March 2018 the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) held the workshop "PMT and vPvM substances under REACH. Voluntary measures and regulatory options to protect the sources of drinking water". read more

Certain substances are harmful to man and the environment. The AskREACH project will raise awareness on Substances of Very High Concern in articles among the European population, retailers and industry. Consumers can use a smartphone app to get information on such substances or send requests for information to suppliers. The European Chemicals Regulation REACH provides the legal framework. read more

The EU might introduce an authorization scheme for imported goods such as clothing, sports gear and toys in the REACH Regulation, to aim at a better protection of humans and the environment against Substances of Very High Concern in articles. An UBA study claims that the necessary amendment of the EU chemicals regulation REACH would not breach international trade law. read more

The EU Construction Products Regulation requires from 1st July 2013 new complementary data to accompany construction products with CE marking. If the construction product contains substances of very high concern, these must be declared. Alternatively - if available - a safety data sheet must be enclosed. The Federal Environment Agency hands out advice for the format of the mandatory data. read more

Since 27 December 2015 consumer goods may no longer exceed a very low content of eight carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). A threshold of 0.5 mg/kg applies for toys and baby items. Other rubber or plastic products such as gardening gloves or mouse pads may contain no more than 1 mg/kg. read more

When is a product considered low-polluting and low-emissions? What other environmental properties should a product have? Various evaluation methods are used to answer these questions. read more

Regulation EC 1907/2006 is the European Chemicals legislation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). It entered into force in 2007 and aims to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment. At the same time it ensures the free circulation of chemicals on the internal market while enhancing competitiveness and innovation.... read more

RegistrationThe major task of producers and importers of chemicals is to evaluate these chemicals and register them with ECHA. Registration of all chemicals occurs in three stages. The first stage ended in November 2010, the second runs until November 2013, and the third will end in mid-2018.EvaluationIt is the responsibility of the competent authorities to check the registrations. Five per cent o... read more