Chemicals & Pesticides

Chemistry: for many greens a mysterious science, for me a good friend. The REACH legislation, at least partly a real GREEN success, has accompanied me for years of my professional life. Much of this directive is really good: for the first time, substances can be restricted in their use if there are better alternatives; the tens of thousands of “old substances” that were already on the market before the first chemicals law came into force in 1979 were finally examined; Consumers receive comprehensive information rights. Last year, AskREACH was launched as an app for particularly problematic substances. But there are still gaps in the size of barn doors: Fabrics that are only manufactured or imported in “small” sizes (1000 kg per year) do not need to be examined. Only 5% of the submitted data records are checked as part of the quality control. There are no additional requirements for nanomaterials. The burden of proof should be reversed for substances that tend to be problematic (precautionary principle!). I want to get involved here to make REACH better.

New EU F-Gas Regulation against climate crisis and perpetual chemicals (PFAS)

The European Parliament has just voted its position on the new regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases, so-called F-gases. F-gases are […]

EU Commission breaks key Green Deal promise - Chemicals regulation REACH is put on hold

The European Commission has just presented its work programme for 2023. After several postponements, the revision of the EU Chemicals […]

Webinar: LNG - The dark side of the boom!

Since the Ukraine war, Europe and Germany are facing the result of years of wrong energy policies that drove us […]

After-work talk "Nature in the city! - How parks, woods, avenues and riverbanks contribute to well-being in our cities".

+++Recording in English here+++ Green lungs provide space for rest, relaxation and exercise. They also help keep temperatures down. However, […]

High-Level-Conference: "Forever? No More! Phasing out “forever chemicals” PFAS in Europe."

+++Here you can find the recording+++ Friday 13th of May, 3:00-4:30 PM CEST The term PFAS refers to a chemical […]

PRESS RELEASE: European Environment Agency: Member States ignore air pollutants from heating and agriculture

PRESS RELEASE, 16th February 2022 – Brussels                                                       European Environment Agency: Member States ignore air pollutants from heating and agriculture […]