API src

Found 30 results.

Related terms

FP6-SUSTDEV, Integration of European Wetland research in a sustainable management of water cycle (EUROWET)

The final goal of the EUROWET project is to integrate the substantial multidisciplinary European research in wetlands to help attain the sustainable management of the water cycle. This will be achieved by the translation of state-of-the art science developed at both national and European levels, into practical guidance for end-users. This will be achieved by a comprehensive review, expert assessment and a focussed dissemination strategy. There is considerable scientific knowledge and technical experience gained in diverse aspects of wetland science and management including hydrology, biogeochemistry, ecology restoration, socio-economic and policy analysis. However the results of research and management experience are still too fragmentary and not sufficiently orientated to problem-solving or simply inadequately framed to be effectively transferred to, or used by, stakeholders and policy-makers. Simultaneously the general outcome of the scientific research has been increased awareness of the significance of wetlands in delivering goods and services important for human welfare including quality of life, biodiversity conservation and maintenance or enhancement of environment quality. Despite this wetlands continue to be degraded and lost throughout Europe without adequate consideration of the wider benefits to be achieved from this management. The new Water Framework Directive (WFD) promotes a unique opportunity to redress this problem by means of the holistic, integrated approach to water management. There is currently in preparation horizontal guidance on Wetlands as part of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) process. There is however work still to be done on providing more specific scientific and technical guidance on the effective implementation of the Directive with respect to wetlands. This is particularly the case in relation to Integrated River Management, the CIS cluster within which wetlands are being considered in the WFD.

Regulations and measures for limiting emissions from non-road mobile machinery in Europe

Non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) are transportable machines and vehicles that are not intended for transporting people or goods by road. Compared to road transport, the number of machines in the NRMM sector in Germany is small. More than 1 million agricultural tractors, about 250,000-400,000 construction machines with more than 19 kW and a fleet of more than 4,000 inland waterway vessels (more than 18,000 across Europe) are responsible for a significant amount for high particulate and NOx emissions. Regulation (EU) No. 2016/1628 [1] comprehensively amended the exhaust emissions legislation for non-road mobile machinery. An extraordinarily wide range of machinery and equipment, including lawn mowers, chain saws, construction machinery, generators, inland waterway vessels and rail vehicles, falls under the regulation with the current exhaust stage V. In addition, the focus of the supplementary regulations (EU) 2017/655 [2] and (EU) 2018/989) [3] is the monitoring of emissions during actual operation of the machine (ISM-In Service Monitoring). The standards of Regulation (EU) No. 2016/1628 [1] are adopted almost completely by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in UNECE Regulation 96 [15], with the exception of the provisions for engines of inland waterway vessels and for rail vehicles. In Germany, market surveillance of mobile machinery and equipment falls under the responsibility of the federal states with their competent market surveillance authorities. Market surveillance is carried out according to the national market surveillance strategy for the years 2022-2025 according to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 [4]. There is a great need for harmonization among manufacturers for uniform rules for the retrofitting of diesel particulate filters, as there is a wide range of certification options for exhaust aftertreatment systems. In addition to air pollution control measures, noise protection is playing an increasingly important role, especially with regard to construction noise. For 57 different types of machinery and equipment, noise emission requirements for placing on the market are therefore specified in accordance with Directive 2000/14/EC ("Outdoor Directive") [5]. The Outdoor Directive contains regulations on the measurement, labeling and, where applicable, compliance with limits of noise emissions emitted into the environment by municipal vehicles, gardening and landscaping equipment and thus serves to curb immissions. According to Directive 2006/42/EC ("Machinery Directive") [6], in addition to the requirements for machine safety, a machine must also comply with the state of the art for noise reduction, especially at the source. © 2022, VDI Verlag GMBH. All rights reserved.

Leitfaden zur umweltfreundlichen öffentlichen Beschaffung: Gartengeräte

Gartengeräte verursachen Arbeitsgeräusche, die zum Beispiel in Wohn- und Erholungsgebieten eine erhebliche Lärmbelastung darstellen können und deshalb häufig als störend empfunden werden. Dieser Leitfaden orientiert sich weitgehend an den Kriterien des Blauen Engels für Gartengeräte aus dem Jahr 2024 (DE-UZ 206), dessen Anforderungen ambitionierter sind als die gesetzlichen Anforderungen der Richtlinie 2000/14/EG über Umweltbelastungen von zur Verwendung im Freien vorgesehenen Geräten und Maschinen (sogenannte Outdoor-Richtlinie). Der Blaue Engel für Gartengeräte betrachtet zudem noch andere Umweltwirkungen. So werden beispielweise, im Leitfaden Anforderungen an die Gerätematerialien und ihre Schadstoffgehalte, an die Langlebigkeit, die Akkuqualität und die Verfügbarkeit von Ersatzakkus sowie an die Recyclingfähigkeit der Gartengeräte gestellt. Verbrennungsmotorbetriebene Gartengeräte entsprechen nicht den weiterentwickelten Lärm- und Emissionskriterien des Umweltzeichens Blauer Engel und sind deshalb auch im Geltungsbereich des Leitfadens nicht enthalten. Veröffentlicht in Leitfäden und Handbücher.

Leitfaden zur umweltfreundlichen öffentlichen Beschaffung: Gartengeräte

Gartengeräte verursachen Arbeitsgeräusche, die zum Beispiel in Wohn- und Erholungsgebieten eine erhebliche Lärmbelastung darstellen können und deshalb häufig als störend empfunden werden. Dieser Leitfaden orientiert sich weitgehend an den Kriterien des Blauen Engels für Gartengeräte aus dem Jahr 2024 (DE-UZ 206), dessen Anforderungen ambitionierter sind als die gesetzlichen Anforderungen der Richtlinie 2000/14/EG über Umweltbelastungen von zur Verwendung im Freien vorgesehenen Geräten und Maschinen (sogenannte Outdoor-Richtlinie).Der Blaue Engel für Gartengeräte betrachtet zudem noch andere Umweltwirkungen. So werden beispielweise, im Leitfaden Anforderungen an die Gerätematerialien und ihre Schadstoffgehalte, an die Langlebigkeit, die Akkuqualität und die Verfügbarkeit von Ersatzakkus sowie an die Recyclingfähigkeit der Gartengeräte gestellt.Verbrennungsmotorbetriebene Gartengeräte entsprechen nicht den weiterentwickelten Lärm- und Emissionskriterien des Umweltzeichens Blauer Engel und sind deshalb auch im Geltungsbereich des Leitfadens nicht enthalten.

Entwicklung eines Methodenbaukastens zur ganzheitlichen akustischen Simulation von baumaschinen- und fördertechnischen Systemen

FP6-POLICIES, Horizontal Standards on Hygienic parameters for Implementation of EU Directives on Sludge, Soil and Treated Bio-waste (HORIZONTAL-HYG)

The working documents on revision of the Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC) on Biowaste and the Soil Protection Communication call for standards on sampling and analysis of sludge, treated biowastes and soils. The European Directives are intended to prevent unacceptable release of contaminants, impairment of soil function, or exposure to pathogens, and to protect crops, human and animal health, the quality of water and the wider environment when sludges and treated biowastes are used on land. The EU animal by-product regulations are fixing microbiological threshold values, for which microbiological methods of analysis are needed. The European Commission wishes to cite European (CEN) standards in order that there is harmonised application of the directives and that reports from Member States (MS) can be compared. This project to develop standards for hygienic parameters in sludge, soil and biowaste, presented under the name 'HORIZONTAL-HYG', will be carried out under the umbrella of the main project HORIZONTAL 'Development of horizontal standards for soil, sludge and biowaste'. This ensures full integration in the CEN system through BT Task Force 151 specially set up in support of this project as well as direct supervision by DG ENV and MS, which form the Steering Committee of HORIZONTAL. Preparation of HORIZONTAL-HYG was taken in a full agreement with the DG ENV, DG JRC and the MS already contributing to HORIZONTAL. HORIZONTAL-HYG's objective is to produce standardised methods for sampling and hygienic microbiological parameters, as Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Ascaris ova in sludges, treated biowastes and soils written in CEN format. Validation of the methods is an essential part of the development as it quantifies performance in terms of repeatability and reproducibility. The consortium is well connected in CEN and ISO and thus provides an excellent basis for implementation of the deliverables. Prime Contractor: Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland; Petten, Netherlands.

FP6-POLICIES, Background Criteria for the Identification of Groundwater Thresholds (BRIDGE)

The Commission proposal of Groundwater Directive COM(2003)550 developed under Article 17 of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) sets out criteria for the assessment of the chemical status of groundwater, which is based on existing Community quality standards (nitrates, pesticides and biocides) and on the requirement for Member States to identify pollutants and threshold values that are representative of groundwater bodies found as being at risk, in accordance with the analysis of pressures and impacts carried out under the WFD. In the light of the above, the objectives of BRIDGE are: i) to study and gather scientific outputs which could be used to set out criteria for the assessment of the chemical status of groundwater, ii) to derive a plausible general approach, how to structure relevant criteria appropriately with the aim to set representative groundwater threshold values scientifically sound and defined at national river basin district or groundwater body level, iii) to check the applicability and validity by means of case studies at European scale, iv) to undertake additional research studies to complete the available data, v) and to carry out an environmental impact assessment taking into account the economic and social impacts. The project shall be carried out at European level, involving a range of stakeholders and efficiently linking the scientific and policy-making communities. Considering the requirement of the diary of the Groundwater Daughter Directive proposal, which implies that groundwater pollutants and related threshold values should be identified before December 2005 and listed by June 2006, the duration of the project should be 24 months. In that way the proposed research will contribute to provide research elements that will be indispensable for preparing discussions on further steps of the future Groundwater Directive. Prime Contractor: Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres, Service Analyse et Caracterisation Minerale, Paris FR

Stellungnahme zum Entwurf einer Direktive zur Implementierung eines EU-weiten Emissionshandels, COM(2001) 581

Im Auftrag des baden-württembergischen Ministeriums für Umwelt und Verkehr wurde der Direktivenentwurf der Europäischen Kommission zur Implementierung eines EU-weiten Emissionshandels (COM(2001) 581) analysiert. Dabei wurde auf folgende Punkte eingegangen: Allokation/Erstvergabe, Freiwilligkeit versus obligatorische Teilnahme und Öffnungsklauseln, projektbasierte Instrumente, Berücksichtigung weiterer Treibhausgase, Regulierungsüberlagerungen sowie Einbeziehung des Stromersektors. Der Entwurf ist zeitlich adäquat in den durch das Kioto-Protokoll vorgegebenen internationalen Rahmen eingepasst. Wie das Protokoll sieht der Vorschlag ab dem Jahr 2008 fünfjährige Budgetperioden vor. Der Richtlinienvorschlag strebt einen Kompromiss zwischen den vier - zum Teil konkurrierenden - Kriterien Einfachheit, Effektivität, Subsidiarität und Transparenz an. Aufgrund des sich erst langsam abzeichnenden internationalen Rahmens und der Vielfalt unterschiedlichster involvierter Interessen ist dies eine erhebliche Aufgabe, deren Bewältigung in weiten Teilen als geglückt angesehen werden kann. Als wichtige Ergänzungsvorschläge zum vorliegenden Entwurf sind herausgefiltert worden: 1) Konkretisierung von Annex III: Die Kriterien für die nationalen Allokationspläne sind sehr allgemein gehalten. Insgesamt erscheint das Verhältnis zwischen Subsidiarität und Transparenz an diesem Punkt zulasten der Transparenz nicht ganz ausgewogen. Hinsichtlich der Anrechnung frühzeitiger Vermeidungsleistungen könnte der Kriterienkatalog z. B. dahingehend konkretisiert werden, dass von der Kommission der Zeitraum eingegrenzt wird, auf den sich die Zuteilung bezieht, und bestimmte Anforderungen an die verfügbaren Daten bzw. Verfahren für die Festlegung der Werte im Falle fehlender Daten gestellt werden. Die Einbeziehung von Neuemittenten wurde ebenfalls weitestgehend offen gelassen. Die Anwendung von EU-weiten Benchmarks (einheitliche Emissionsfaktoren) würde die Spielräume für potenzielle Wettbewerbsverzerrungen einschränken und eine bessere Planungssicherheit für die betroffenen Unternehmen gewährleisten. 2) Berücksichtigung von Stromerzeugung aus Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung (KWK): Der gegenwärtige Richtlinienentwurf kann zu einer Verschlechterung der Wettbewerbsposition von KWK-Anlagen auf dem Wärmemarkt führen, da sie dort möglicherweise mit Angeboten konkurrieren, die nicht vom Emissionshandelssystem erfasst sind (z. B. gasbefeuerte Brennwertkessel). Deshalb sollte der Richtlinienentwurf hinsichtlich der Erfassung von KWK-Anlagen angepasst werden. Denkbar wäre etwa, dass der Anteil des Brennstoffs in KWK-Anlagen, der zur Erzeugung von Fernwärme eingesetzt wird, von der Nachweisverpflichtung für Emissionszertifikate befreit wird.

FP6-SUSTDEV, Reduction, modification and valorisation of sludge (REMOVALS)

The adoption of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC imposes the sewage sludge to be subsequently treated so it is expected by 2005 to increase twofold in comparison whit 1992. However, classical incineration to treat this vast amount of sludge must be no longer accepted from an environmental point of view. In addition, the Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC regulates the uses and properties of stabilised sludge for being either recycled or disposed. Both directives drive specific actions in two complementary ways. Firstly, a deep knowledge of current sludge treatment, such as mesophilic, thermophilic or autothermophilic processes, must be promoted to solve that problem in the UE ambit, taking in account the particular considerations of each treatment facility. In second place, the development of new processes must be supported to open new alternatives that could valorise that waste.The proposal aims at developing strategies for the disposal and reuse of waste sludge. The scope envisages to develop several processes for reducing both amount and toxicity of sludge, with simultaneous transformation into green energy vectors such as methane or hydrogen. In outline, mesophilic and mainly thermophilic and autothermophilic conditions will be deeply explored as classical alternatives for sludge stabilisation, assuring sanitary conditions of the treated sludge. Also, valuable materials will be obtained from sludge, such as activated carbons, which will be used in conventional adsorption processes and in innovative advanced oxidation processes.The main outcomes expected at the end of the projects are guidelines for technology selection in agreement with the geographic, economic and technical characteristics of the sewage plants, demonstration of the feasibility of new applications for the sewage sludge, manufacturing of activated carbon from sludge sewage as innovative recycling of sludge waste, and a deep understanding of the methods involved. Prime Contractor: Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.

Guide on green public procurement

Garden tools generate noise which, in residential areas, recreational areas and elsewhere can constitute a major source of noise pollution that is often found to be highly disturbing. The Blue Angel eco-label for garden tools provides guidance that makes it easier to purchase particularly low-noise garden tools.This guide is based on the Blue Angel eco-label criteria, whose requirements are more stringent than the provisions of the applicable EU law, i.e. Directive 2000/14/EC, which relates to noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors.

1 2 3