Chemical and Product Safety

Reliable statements about the environ­mental compatibility of chemical and biological agents, nanomaterials, prod­ucts and tech­nical procedures are established by assessing exposure levels and potential hazards. Our investiga­tions encom­pass standard tests for the notification and labeling of industrial chemicals and products as well as com­plex studies for the solution of highly differentiated, detailed problems.

In addition to experimental investiga­tions and com­puter simula­tions, the activities of this business area focus on the im­prove­ment of strategies for risk assess­ment and the preparation of expert reports for ecological subs­tance and product assessments. We operate under a legislative framework governed by the EU-wide regulations on hazard and risk assessment for industrial chemicals (REACH), biocides and pharmaceuticals (European Medicines Agency, EMA) as well as corresponding regulations in the USA and Japan. In the areas of veterinary pharmaceutical products, nanotechnology and bioaccumulation the Fraunhofer IME is directly involved in the improvement of relevant guidelines.

The institute has obtained a GLP certificate for the relevant test categories.

Research, development and services

Standard studies for the notification and labeling of industrial chemicals (including metals, metal species and metal compounds), biocides and pharmaceuticals:

        physico-chemical properties

        fate

        bioaccumulation

        ecotoxicology

        supply and distribution of reference soils (Refesol-program of the
        German Federal Environment Agency) for product testing

Ecotoxicological tests with nanomaterials: Chemical analysis of
        selected nanomaterials from environmental matrices

Complex studies for specific problems:

        Modified standard tests for volatile and/or poorly soluble substances,
        e.g. Water Accomodated Fraction (WAF) Tests

        Micro- / mesocosm studies with continuous loads

        Model sewage treatment plant (open and closed system)       

        Exposure assessment for chemical and biological agents in water, soils and
        consumer articles by elaboration and adaptation of exposure scenarios
        and exposure models

        Elaboration and adaptation of test and assessment strategies
        for ecological risk assessments

         Function testing / optimization of products with functional nanomaterials
        (e.g. photocatalysis)

        Testing of the transformation/dissolution behavior and the bioaccessibility
        of metals and metal compounds including elemental species analysis

        Expert reports on the environmental safety of chemical substance and products

        Support for the registration of pesticides or notification of chemical substances:
        Consultation in the context of REACH

       

Memberships in Committees

Prof. Dr. Christoph Schäfers:
German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Working Group: Improvement of testing methods in the framework of the legislation on chemicals and substances, Sub-Group "Ecotoxicology, accumulation and dedradation in the environment"

Commission for the Evaluation of Substances Hazardous to Water (KBwS) of the BMU (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety)

DFG (German Research Foundation): Alliance working group: „Infrastructures in Terrestrial Research“

Dr. Heinz Rüdel:
IUPAC, Division of Chemistry and the Environment (DCE), Subcommittee on Chemistry of Environmental Compartments

Dr. Dieter Hennecke and Dr. Markus Simon:
Sub-Group "Persistence and degradability": GDCh (German Chemical Society), Division "Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology" - Working Group "Chemicals Assessment"

Dr. Martin Müller:
GDCh (German Chemical Society), Division "Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology" - Working Group "Chemicals Assessment"

Dr. Kerstin Hund-Rinke, Dr. Josef Müller:
Technical consultants for expert services at the accreditation body DAKKS

 

 

Working Group " Environmental Monitoring":