Projects
To support a sustainable management of harmful organisms, the German Environment Agency (UBA) conducted and still conducts several projects.
Until now, the following projects funded or conducted by UBA on topics related to a sustainable management of harmful organisms have started or are already finalised.
Efficacy testing /assessment of alternatives:
- Development of test for rodent traps (NoCheRo)
- Development of efficacy test for thermal control of surface fouling organisms (starting in 2023)
- Testing of non-chemical alternatives (rodent traps) for listing according to §18 German Infection Protection Act (ongoing, only German)
- Eco-label “Blue Angel” on low-impact pest control (incl. efficacy requirements)
- Eco-label “Blue Angel” on thermal indoor pest control (incl. efficacy requirements)
- Eco-label “Blue Angel” on thermal pest control of wood (incl. efficacy requirements)
- Eco-label “Blue Angel” for external thermal insulation composite systems
- Eco-label “Blue Angel” for biocide-free anti-fouling solutions (incl. efficacy requirements)
- Concept study for the development and validation of criteria for the assessment of biocide-free alternatives (only German, but comprehensive English summary)
- Qualitative assessments of "microwave in curative wood preservatives", "sewer traps for rat control" and "underwater boat cover slides and mats against fouling for pleasure boats" (only German, short English abstract)
- Study on alternatives with a focus on beneficial insects and funding programs for alternatives (only German, short English abstract)
- Assessment of possible alternatives to creosote as wood preservative (only German)
New management concepts:
- How to avoid biocidal pollutants in construction materials
- Urban rat management in sewers (ongoing)
Testing of devices for the application of biocides:
- Study on drift potential during treatments against oak processionary moths
- Second study on drift potential during treatments against oak processionary moths and other spray applications (ongoing)
- Development of guidance for the testing of bait protection stations for rodenticides
- Testing of bait protection stations for rodenticides for listing according to §18 German Infection Protection Act (ongoing, only German)
Chemical alternatives:
- Safe and sustainable-by-design rodenticides (Study (only German, but comprehensive English summary) & publication)
Stakeholder involvement and networking:
- Study on procurement and use of biocides and alternatives in German municipalities (only German, but comprehensive English summary), including a workshop with municipalities
- Workshop on beneficial insects as alternatives (only German)
- Workshop “Exchange of experience on international information services and campaigns on biocides and their alternatives”
- Regular meetings with different stakeholder associations (for example chemical and non-chemical industry, pest controllers, trade, municipalities, environment)
Public relations:
- Website on alternative control methods and preventive measures against harmful organisms for non-specialists (only German)
- Anti-fouling use in water sports (only German)
- Map on fouling pressure in German waterbodies and recommendations for antifouling systems for boats (only German)
- Best practices for the use of anticoagulant rodenticides
- Best practices for the control of oak processionary moths (only German)
- Brochure for municipalities on possibilities to reduce use of biocidal products (only German)
