04.12.2019

We are training now! Our first apprentice

We are delighted to welcome our first trainee at the beginning of next year.

Fabian Rühmann will complete the last two years of his training as an IT specialist for application development at Graubner and thus become part of our IT department. We have often recruited new employees through students’ Master’s theses, but never through an apprentice. And now we are looking forward to the new tasks that await us as a training company.

With the current shortage of skilled workers, it is difficult to find suitable and qualified employees. Training your own staff is therefore the logical step to attract new employees.

22.11.2019

Climate rescue canceled due to lack of personnel

Large companies are urgently looking for specialists in energy data management. Due to the media coverage, nobody can ignore the topics of environmental protection and saving the climate anymore

Large companies are urgently looking for specialists in energy data management

Due to the media coverage, nobody can ignore the topics of environmental protection and saving the climate. We can experience the consequences of climate change directly: hot summers, droughts, floods and other climate disasters are no longer a rarity in Germany either. Many companies have also taken up the cause of environmental protection: for example, they are working on improving their own ecological footprint and saving the environment. According to experts, however, the climate rescue is currently being severely hampered: One reason is the urgent need for skilled workers on the German labor market. At the same time, however, this is also an opportunity for future trainees to gain a foothold in a promising industry and actively help shape environmental protection.

Skills shortage takes on dramatic proportions

Specialists in the field of energy data management are currently desperately sought after – especially by large corporations, for example in the automotive industry. The problem is not new: experts and specialists in this field have been hard to find for some time. Energy data management is playing an increasingly important role for large companies in order to reduce their own_{CO2 emissions} in the long term and thus protect the environment.

The voluntary commitment of large corporations

Many companies in Germany, especially the automotive industry, are now setting a good example: they have committed themselves to improving their ecological footprint and actively working to protect the environment. Various techniques and technical innovations from the field of energy data management are being used to achieve the targets set. This makes it all the more important to have specialists in this field to manage and monitor the processes in a meaningful way in the future.

11.10.2019

Graubner GmbH is delighted to have been re-commissioned by a Swabian machine manufacturer in the laundry technology sector

After Graubner GmbH already took over the CE markings for some of the machine manufacturer’s washing machines last year, we are pleased to be able to take on a new project in the field of laundry technology. In the next project, the CE marking will be created for various feeding and folding machines.

We look forward to working with you again!

23.07.2019

Sponsored swimming in the outdoor pool in Bad Herrenalb

Last weekend, the interest group (IG) FreiBadHerrenalb organized the 2nd sponsored swim in the outdoor pool in Bad Herrenalb. 64 swimmers completed a total of 3560 laps.

The Graubner company was there as a sponsor and three Graubner employees: Marius Krichel, the intern Matheus Batista from São Paulo / Brazil and Sebastian Graubner took part in the sponsored swim in the outdoor pool in Bad Herrenalb and contributed to its success.

The proceeds will be used to build a boules court at the Bad Herrenalb outdoor pool.

08.07.2019

Everything in flux!

Energy flows and volume flows are shown in a Sankey diagram. The flows between different processes are visualized with arrows. The wider the arrow, the greater the energy flow or volume flow. This makes Sankey diagrams particularly vivid: the viewer’s gaze is immediately drawn to the broad arrows and the eye can quickly grasp the main material and energy flows.

Graphics can also be integrated using special software and the layout can be customized as required. When it comes to energy management in particular, we want to support our customers in the future by providing a clear overview of their energy flows so that they can identify and save energy consumption in an even more targeted manner.

Example of a Sankey diagram

13.05.2019

Feuerbach fun run “Around the sequoia trees”

The 40th Feuerbach fun run “Around the sequoia trees” took place on May 11, 2019. takes place. Our colleague Annette Bleibtreu was at the start on the 10-mile course.

With an outstanding time of 1:20:34, Annette took first place in the women’s category and 23rd place overall.

Congratulations from all Graubner employees!

04.04.2019

Graubner GmbH successfully completes CE marking with Schoch Automation

Last year, Graubner GmbH supported the company Schoch Automation from Gaggenau with the CE marking of its feeding systems. The project has now been fully completed.

Modern production lines have to be literally “fed” with small parts. Whether it is screws for an automobile, glass ampoules for medicine or the lid of a shampoo bottle, all these parts must be provided in a predefined position. This task falls into the area of feeding technology. Schoch Automation specializes in the design, construction and manufacture of all necessary components in this area.

As part of the project, Schoch Automation’s feeding systems were analyzed and evaluated with regard to the relevant legal principles, norms and standards in order to grant CE marking.

Graubner would like to thank them for the successful cooperation and looks forward to further exciting projects.

March 2019

Mental stress in the world of work

In recent years, the stress levels in the world of work have changed considerably. While physical stress has decreased to some extent, psychological factors are playing an increasingly important role.

This change is mainly due to the increased intensity of work. A higher workload has to be completed in a given time, and the nature of the tasks can be too demanding or too demanding for people’s mental performance.

The fact that this change is not happening without a trace is shown by the fact that the number of days of absence due to mental illness amounted to 107 million days across Germany in 2017. This means that the number of sick days due to mental health problems has more than doubled within 10 years.

Against this backdrop, psychological factors must move further into the focus of occupational safety. The occupational safety specialist is therefore tasked with actively supporting the employer in identifying psychological factors and in preventing and combating the negative consequences of stress on the one hand and improving health and well-being on the other.

Graubner GmbH has faced up to this change and offers risk assessments on mental stress.

As part of the risk assessment process, the first step is to carry out an orientation measurement using anonymous questionnaires in order to identify any psychological factors. As a second step, further investigations, e.g. in the form of a moderated workshop. Among other things, various measures are collected and discussed that can contribute to the optimization of psychological factors. In the next step, the psychological factors and the corresponding measures are summarized in the risk assessment. The implementation of the measures is supported and assessed by our qualified safety experts.

Do you see a need for a risk assessment on mental stress in your company? We will be happy to inform you about all the details of the risk assessment (GBU).
Call our toll-free number 0800 – 4728263 or use the contact form.

February 2019

Company outing with northern lights

This time we have moved our company outing, which was originally planned as a Christmas outing, to the less hectic time in the new year.

The excursion took us to the Iffezheim Rhine power plant, the largest run-of-river power plant in Germany. We even had the opportunity to visit the nacelle of the most modern and largest of the five turbines. _CO2-neutral electricity generation from hydropower is particularly interesting for us as a technology-enthusiastic and environmentally conscious company.

This also gave our new employee Marius Krichel, who can be seen in the front left of the group photo, the opportunity to get to know his new adopted home. Mr. Krichel was born in Wilhelmshaven and completed his training as an occupational safety specialist after studying environmental protection. He has been supporting us in the areas of environmental protection and occupational safety since January of this year. We look forward to his active support and many exciting projects!

January 2019

New employee for augmented reality projects

We are pleased to welcome a new employee. Having already written her master’s thesis on qualification opportunities with augmented reality in the automotive sector at Graubner, Lisa Kaupp is now supporting us as a permanent member of the team.

With the help of augmented reality, real environments can be filmed and enhanced with virtual content in real time. This opens up numerous opportunities and possibilities for using this technology for qualification and further training. Among other things, augmented reality can be used to optimize qualification processes and make information available to employees “just in time”.

Thanks to Ms. Kaupp’s experience, we can now offer advice and support for augmented reality projects. We would be happy to help you identify potential use cases for augmented reality in your company and support you in the creation, introduction and implementation of augmented reality qualifications.

August 2018

Introduction of load handling attachments for a new transmission plant in an automotive factory in Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil

Graubner has been supporting a project to introduce load handling attachments for a new type of gearbox for a major car manufacturer in Brazil since mid-2017. The tasks include coordinating the preparation of quotations, supporting the development phase through to commissioning the load handling equipment on site.

In November 2018, there will be a four-week project phase on site at the plant in Brazil and another trip is planned for the beginning of next year.

Thanks to our many years of experience, including with international projects, we have developed solutions and will implement them successfully on site together with the Brazilian project team. Cultural differences and the language barrier are a particular challenge when working with foreign partners. However, Mr. Graubner took a language course in Lisbon lasting several weeks especially for this project.

Graubner has also been involved in social projects for many years. We have taken over the sponsorship of a child in the north-east of Brazil. The six-year-old girl has to grow up without her parents. Thanks to the sponsorship, she receives an education and can take part in health care programs. In cooperation with local partner organizations, the children’s aid organization Plan International promotes children’s rights in Brazil.

July 2018

Graubner company outing

Forester Manfred Senk knows the national park like the back of his hand

Every year in July, we swap our safety shoes for hiking boots for an afternoon, invite family and friends of the company and go on an excursion into the wilderness; a hike through the Black Forest National Park followed by a picnic at the Schwarzenbach dam.

This year, the Black Forest National Park once again offered us an exciting nature experience. The forester Manfred Senk showed us how the area of the national park reverts to a primeval forest every year and as we hiked over hill and dale, he explained the flora and fauna of the national park to us.

But there was no shortage of occupational safety topics either: who would have thought that stepladders in the forest also need to be inspected? And does sunscreen actually have a water hazard class?

As the number of kilometers hiked increased, so did the anticipation of the picnic, which we enjoyed on the beach of the dam as we do every year. Many thanks to the cooks and all participants for this wonderful company outing!

June 2018

Graubner concludes joint project with Swedish medical company Getinge

Graubner supported Getinge in the preparation of the CE declaration of conformity for a specific casting cassette module.

Getinge is a global provider of innovative solutions for operating theatres, intensive care units, sterilization departments and life science companies and institutions. Based on first-hand experience and close partnerships with clinical experts, medical professionals and medical technology specialists, Getinge improves people’s everyday lives not only today, but also tomorrow. Getinge employs over 10,000 people and is represented in 40 countries.

However, it is not only important to save the lives of patients, but also to take responsibility for our own employees and protect them. This is where Graubner Industrie-Beratung GmbH came into play.

Our experts supported Getinge in the legally compliant assessment of an assembly stand in accordance with the EC Machinery Directive. In this way, two talents could be combined and successful implementation ensured. The Graubner company is looking forward to continued good cooperation and interesting projects.

March 2018

Risk assessments for recooling systems

The Graubner company was able to tackle a new project: The risk assessment for a large number of recooling systems in a manufacturing company in Baden-Württemberg. In recooling systems, the cooling effect is achieved by the trickling of cooling water. As water droplets are released into the environment during this process, it is particularly important to operate the systems in a hygienically perfect condition.

Under the new 42nd BImSchV, the operator is legally obliged to carry out a risk assessment, including a hygiene assessment, on recooling systems and wet separators.

The Graubner company will inspect the facility by the end of the year, record the current status and draw up a catalog of measures with proposals for action. The operator can then implement targeted measures to adapt the systems to the state of the art in accordance with VDI 2047 Sheet 2 and ensure safe and legally compliant operation in accordance with the 42nd BImSchV.

February 2018

New employees in the Graubner team

At the beginning of the year, Graubner welcomed three new employees to the team, who will provide active support:

Andreas Mikowski is an industrial foreman with many years of experience and training as a safety specialist and will continue to expand our occupational safety department.

Kristina Mauch has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and extensive experience in marketing and retail. She will take over a large part of the back office tasks for us with immediate effect.

Lisa Kaupp is studying Media and Communication at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences and will be writing her Master’s thesis on the topic of qualifications with the support of augmented reality. It benefits from the wealth of experience we have gained over the years with qualifications and training in the industrial environment and helps us to make this subject area fit for the future.

December 2017

We look forward to accompanying you again in 2018

The Graubner team wishes you a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

November 2017

Employee Vincent Wolf becomes a fully-fledged THW helper

The fascination of helping – around 80,000 volunteers are enthusiastically involved in the THW, including our employee Vincent Wolf, who passed the basic training test to become a THW helper at the beginning of November. The THW provides technical and humanitarian aid in Germany and around the world. Graubner Industrie-Beratung is pleased about social commitment and is happy to support its employees in this way.

With us, volunteering and work are easily compatible.

June 2017

Employee Annette Bleibtreu successfully takes part in the half marathon in Stuttgart

Around 14,000 runners took part in this year’s Stuttgart Run, which was held on 24. and June 25, 2017 took place. Among them was our employee Annette Bleibtreu, who took part in the 21.09 km half marathon on Sunday in bright sunshine and warm temperatures. This is the 4th year in a row that Annette has run the half marathon in Stuttgart. With a time of 1:48 hours, she was very satisfied with her performance, although she was not quite able to match her performance from the previous year.

Congratulations from the whole Graubner team

April 2017

OPVIUS and Graubner Industrie-Beratung successfully complete joint project for CE marking of OPV modules

As part of the project, the OPV module technology of OPVIUS GmbH was analyzed and evaluated with regard to the
relevant legal bases, norms and standards are evaluated to support the CE declaration

The CE marking was introduced to guarantee safe products for end users in the European Union. Therefore, a product may only be placed on the market in the European Economic Area if it complies with the essential requirements of the EU regulations applicable to this product. With the CE marking, the manufacturer expresses that a product complies with the relevant legal regulations and technical specifications. The overriding objective is the free movement of goods within the European Economic Area. To carry out the evaluation process, OPVIUS GmbH and Graubner Industrie-Beratung GmbH have joined forces to jointly evaluate the OPVIUS OPV technology. As part of the CE conformity assessment procedure, the various relevant aspects of the product were examined and checked with regard to the relevant regulations. The joint project has declared the CE conformity of OPVIUS OPV technology.

“CE marking is mandatory in order to enable the free movement of goods within the European Union. That’s why it’s important to do all the necessary homework in good time, especially with a new technology like the OPVIUS OPV,” says Vincent Wolf from Graubner Industrie-Beratung GmbH. “The tests carried out in advance were very important preliminary work for the assessment of the CE conformity of OPVIUS technology.”

Hermann Issa, Senior Director Business Development & Sales at OPVIUS, adds: “We have been working for some time to substantiate the open questions with studies and research work so that we can now finalize the evaluation process. This is an important step, as the application in the end customer business in particular requires a high degree of care. We want to ensure this in good time on behalf of our industrial customers.”

About the company OPVIUS GmbH
OPVIUS GmbH (formerly BELECTRIC OPV), based in Nuremberg (R&D) and Kitzingen (production facility in INNOPARK Kitzingen), was founded in 2012 and is one of the global market leaders in the field of organic photovoltaics. OPVIUS produces organic solar cells with a focus on customized solutions. The company is also active in the field of research and development in order to be able to continuously offer its customers creative and innovative solutions. OPVIUS uses a unique manufacturing process based on a combination of printing, lamination and laser structuring techniques. This advanced technology allows a high degree of scalability and makes it possible to produce highly individual, customized designs. OPVIUS also supports its customers with system solutions for integrating OPV into existing or new products.

January 2017

Successful recertification with the GQA seal of approval

After Graubner was awarded the GQA seal of approval for the first time in 2014, the repeat audit took place in January 2017. The Gesellschaft für Qualität im Arbeitsschutz mbH (GQA) is an independent company of the VDSI, which has now confirmed to Graubner for the second time in a row that it has all the personnel, technical, material and organizational requirements to provide a company with qualified and comprehensive advice on occupational health and safety issues.

We are delighted to have received this award and look forward to continuing to provide our customers with expert advice on all aspects of occupational health and safety.

September 2016

New services relating to occupational safety and environmental protection

We are delighted to welcome a new member to our team. After studying environmental safety, completing internships and working as a student trainee at Bosch, Mr. Wolf trained as an occupational safety specialist. He supports us with his wide-ranging knowledge, particularly in the areas of environmental protection and occupational safety.

Thanks to his qualifications, Graubner can now also provide external company officers for hazardous substances, water protection and waste. We would be happy to show you how you can optimally integrate an external agent into your company and thus relieve your permanent staff.

Our new employee also has experience in the marking of machines in accordance with the CE Directive. If you, as the operator, make a change to your machine or manufacture a machine for your own use, you become a manufacturer in accordance with the Machinery Directive. As such, you are obliged to assess your system in accordance with the conformity procedure before it can be put into operation. We will be happy to carry out the conformity assessment procedure for you in accordance with the current legal requirements.
You become a manufacturer in accordance with the Machinery Directive. As such, you are obliged to assess your system in accordance with the conformity procedure before it can be put into operation. We will be happy to carry out the conformity assessment procedure for you in accordance with the current legal requirements.

March 2016

Electricians without borders

Graubner is currently helping a large corporation in Mannheim to save a lot of electricity as part of its energy data management. Why not give some of this saved electricity to those who don’t have any?

Graubner has long been a member of Médecins Sans Frontières, and now we have decided to support Electricians Without Borders, which exists because of the “The fact is that 1.5 billion people worldwide have no or insufficient access to energy. However, energy is an essential prerequisite for economic and social development. Our vision is therefore to provide those in need with access to energy as a means of sustainable development.”

The organization carries out projects in the energy sector worldwide – always with a view to sustainable development aid. In addition to projects in Nepal, India and Vietnam, unbureaucratic and short-term aid is also provided regionally: In February, for example, smoke alarms were serviced in a refugee shelter in Karlsruhe and the lighting in the kitchen was improved.

As a sponsoring member, Graubner is now supporting the sustainable work of this association.

February 2016

New FMEA moderation service: Avoid errors instead of discovering errors

What are the benefits of the FMEA method?

An important tool in the context of quality or safety management is the FMEA analysis(FailureModeand Effects Analysis). The method makes it possible to avoid errors and increase technical reliability as early as the development phase of a new product or process. In addition to the automotive industry, they are used in many other branches of industry.

How does the FMEA method work?

In FMEA analysis, the structures of a process or system are mapped with the associated functions and linked to form a function network. The functions described are then used to determine possible malfunctions, the causes and consequences of which can be combined to form a fault network. In the next step, the risk of each malfunction is assessed. The existing prevention and detection measures are documented. To reduce the risk of malfunctions, additional measures are defined in the final step and those responsible for implementing the measures are appointed.

What does Graubner offer?

Graubner takes over the complete implementation of the FMEA for you.

This includes the organizational and conceptual preparation of the meetings, the moderation of the FMEA with all 5 steps, the simultaneous documentation with the software APIS IQ-FMEA as well as the evaluation and presentation of the results. We are also happy to take on the subsequent monitoring of the implementation of measures.

LET US MAKE YOU YOUR PERSONAL OFFER

Please get in touch with us: Tel. 0800 – 47 28 26 3 or info@graubner-gmbh.de

February 2015

New FMEA moderation service: Avoid errors instead of discovering errors

What are the benefits of the FMEA method?

An important tool in the context of quality or safety management is the FMEA analysis(FailureModeand Effects Analysis). The method makes it possible to avoid errors and increase technical reliability as early as the development phase of a new product or process. In addition to the automotive industry, they are used in many other branches of industry.

How does the FMEA method work?

In FMEA analysis, the structures of a process or system are mapped with the associated functions and linked to form a function network. The functions described are then used to determine possible malfunctions, the causes and consequences of which can be combined to form a fault network. In the next step, the risk of each malfunction is assessed. The existing prevention and detection measures are documented. To reduce the risk of malfunctions, additional measures are defined in the final step and those responsible for implementing the measures are appointed.

Graubner takes over the complete implementation of the FMEA for you.

This includes the organizational and conceptual preparation of the meetings, the moderation of the FMEA with all 5 steps, the simultaneous documentation with the software APIS IQ-FMEA as well as the evaluation and presentation of the results. We are also happy to take on the subsequent monitoring of the implementation of measures.

LET US MAKE YOU YOUR PERSONAL OFFER

Please get in touch with us: Tel. 0800 – 47 28 26 3 or info@graubner-gmbh.de

September 2015

Successful Graubner project in Detroit enters the next phase

Graubner takes over the project management for the delivery of load handling equipment to Detroit for a major automobile manufacturer. This includes coordination from the quotation phase and documentation through to staff training and on-site commissioning of the load handling equipment. Graubner was already successfully deployed on site for three weeks at the beginning of the year, and there will be a further project phase in Detroit in October.

For deliveries to the USA, the following applies: The documentation must be prepared with the same care with which the product is manufactured. Product liability cases in the USA arise much more frequently due to incorrect or incomplete documentation than due to defects in the product itself. Particular attention should be paid to the operating instructions. The technical documentation should be formulated in easy-to-understand sentences and describe the work processes in detail.

Our many years of experience in creating work instructions and operating manuals pay off in the USA. Graubner’s careful and thorough approach is also appreciated by our customers in Detroit and we look forward to continuing our productive collaboration.

June 2015

New image brochure published

Read our new brochure here as a pdf and find out more about the services offered by Graubner. We will also be happy to send you a printed copy by post.

May 2015

New CLP directive for mixtures comes into force on June 1, 2015

The current regulations on the classification and labeling of hazardous substances are gradually being replaced by the European CLP Regulation. This regulation is based on the so-called Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals of the United Nations. The CLP Regulation has already applied to substances since December 2010; the classification, labeling and packaging of mixtures must now also be converted to the new regulations by June 1, 2015. The criteria of the CLP Regulation differ in many respects from the previously applicable directives. You should therefore systematically check the classification and labeling of the mixtures used in your company!

Our employees are currently advising a customer from the vibration technology sector on this topic. Operating instructions and labeling foils are checked and updated as part of the consultation. As a prerequisite for the application of the CLP Regulation, the composition of the mixture must be precisely known. In some cases, the composition is noted in the safety data sheet of the mixture, but in other cases it must also be researched in order to classify the mixtures correctly in accordance with the CLP Regulation.

Has the CLP Directive already been implemented in your company? Can you ensure that all substances and mixtures are correctly classified, labeled and packaged? Let our experienced occupational health and safety team support you and contact us on the toll-free number 0800 – 47 28 26 3.

January 2015

Roof workstations – underestimated danger for employees

Even if it’s not the first thing that comes to mind, there are various workplaces on the roofs of production halls and office buildings. Your employees move around on roof workstations, for example in the context of roof greening, roof drainage, maintenance of skylights and skylight domes and snow removal in winter. Roofs are also used for the maintenance and servicing of operating equipment such as air conditioning and ventilation systems, mobile phone masts, solar systems and exhaust chimneys.

If a fall occurs on the roof, the consequences are often fatal. According to the statistics “Fatal accidents at work 2001 – 2010” from the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “one in three accidents in Germany is a fall accident (31.9%), which may have occurred from a building (especially from the roof) but also from various equipment (scaffolding, ladders, means of transport, etc.).” Falls from or through the roof were the cause of 9.4% of fatal accidents at work. That’s around 26 people a year.

The majority of fatal accidents were caused by violations of applicable regulations. Traffic routes and workplaces must be designed to be fall-safe, e.g. by means of railings, walkways, coverings, under-tensioning, rope protection or by maintaining a sufficient and marked safety distance. The preparation of risk assessments and the workplace-related instruction of employees is also a central requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and is also of great importance for working on roof surfaces.

In recent years, Graubner has prepared risk assessments for workplaces and traffic routes on roofs at the production site of a major car manufacturer for over 355,000 m² of roof area. The next step is to derive technical measures from the risk assessments in order to prevent falls. Graubner coordinates the implementation of the protective measures here. This includes working out different variants, e.g. railings, anchor points and walkways, and estimating the costs for implementing the respective measures.

And what about safety on your roofs?

We are happy to carry out an inventory, prepare risk assessments and help you plan and implement the necessary protective measures. Get in touch with our experienced occupational health and safety team and let us advise you on the free phone number 0800 – 47 28 26 3.

November 2014

News from the areas of occupational safety and environmental protection

Directory on the handling of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances – legal certainty for everyone involved!

The core of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance from 2010 is the risk assessment in accordance with Section 6, which must be carried out if an activity poses a risk to the health or safety of employees.

For activities involving carcinogenic, mutagenic or fertility-threatening substances (CMR substances) of categories 1 and 2, a register must also be kept in accordance with Section 14 (3) numbers 3 and 4 of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. This obligation on the part of the employer has its origins in the European Cancer Directive 2004/37/EC. The level and duration of exposure must also be recorded in the list. In many cases, however, existing exposure descriptions of comparable activities can be used. The employee must be provided with an extract from the register upon termination of the employment relationship. The list must also be kept for 40 years after the employee has left the company.

The documentation of the exposure of each individual employee plays an important role in the recognition of occupational diseases. If claims for damages are made against the employer, it is to the advantage of both parties to keep complete documentation on hazardous substances. The employee can prove that he was exposed to a certain carcinogenic substance in the course of his work. At the same time, the employer can prove that all necessary protective measures have been taken.

Has this regulation already been implemented in your company? Do you keep a register of employees who have been or are exposed to CMR substances in the course of their work? Would you like to introduce clean documentation and thus ensure legal certainty? Our experienced occupational health and safety team will be happy to support you.

Call us on our toll-free number 0800 – 47 28 26 3.

Source: GefStoffV 2010

october 2014

Revision of the F-Gas Regulation comes into force on January 1, 2015

The umbrella term F-gases refers to partially fluorinated hydrocarbons (HFCs), perfluorinated hydrocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). These substances are used as refrigerants in many refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

The aim of the revised ordinance is to implement the climate protection targets of the Kyoto Protocol. Quotas for production and import quantities are intended to create an incentive to use other substances. From 2015, there will be a gradual limitation of the total quantities of HFCs that may be placed on the market in the EU.

Gradual reduction of HFC quantities

The refrigerant charge quantities are then no longer weighted in kilograms, but according to their global warming potential in CO₂ equivalents. This is intended to ensure that gases are assessed according to their harmfulness to the climate. Each refrigerant is assigned a global warming potential (GWP) in relation to that of CO₂.

The new weighting according to CO₂ equivalents may result in changes to the intervals for leak tests of systems or new inspection obligations for existing systems may be imposed on your company. Furthermore, there is an obligation to keep records. For systems with a refrigerant volume of more than 500 tons of CO₂ equivalent, a leak detection system is also mandatory.

We will be happy to check for you whether the systems in your company fall under the new regulation and advise you on new inspection obligations. This includes recording the refrigerants used in your company and converting the quantities into CO₂ equivalents, as well as creating new maintenance plans. For further information, please call us on our toll-free number 0800-47 28 26 3.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union L 150/195

September 2014

Adaptation of TA Luft planned

The Federal Ministry for the Environment is planning to amend the TA Luft, which was last amended in 2002. The updated version is primarily intended to transpose the BAT conclusions from the IE Directive leaflets into national law. The IE Directive requires that the requirements from the conclusions be implemented in the installations concerned no later than four years after publication. TA Luft is a binding set of regulations that contains all relevant requirements for operators.

In addition, the Odour Immission Directive will be included in the annex to the TA Luft in order to ensure standardization of state regulations.

Furthermore, immission values for particulate matter are to be included in the TA Luft and new types of installations, new requirements under the CLP Regulation and a list of particularly carcinogenic substances are to be included.

An initial overall draft should be available by the end of the year. The federal states and the associations concerned will be involved in the development process.

We will keep you up to date with the latest developments. We are also happy to check for you at an early stage whether your systems are affected by the new requirements and where there is a need for action.

Source: DIHK