The Federal Office for the Environment publishes a report on environmental and health standards applied to construction products.
This document is the German contribution to the European Union study on hazardous materials in construction products and should inspire future European standards in this area.
The study provides information on dangerous substances contained in materials, in particular concerning their use and toxic emissions. It also establishes handling recommendations, in accordance with the format of the European standards for concrete-based materials and floor linings.
By establishing common standards between all countries, the European Commission wants to improve the free trade in construction materials. The lack of harmonization of consumer information slows down the development of materials poor in toxic products, because these are indistinguishable from others.
The study report (224 pages) is available in German, with
a summary in English on the website of the federal agency of
the environment: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de
contacts:
- Frank Honerbach - Umweltbundesamt - tel: +49 30 89 03 2226 - email:
pressestelle@uba.de
Sources: Depeche IDW, Federal Agency Press Release
the environment, 15/04/2005
Editor: Jerome Rougnon-Glasson,
jerome.rougnon-glasson@diplomatie.gouv.fr