Editorial Note: This article was rewritten using Artificial Intelligence (AI) based on original, verified sources. The accompanying images were upscaled with the assistance of AI. Any resemblance of figures in the images to real persons is entirely coincidental. Brands and logos depicted are the property of their respective owners and do not imply official endorsement or affiliation.
The 41st Munich Hazardous Substances and Safety Days, a significant event in the field of hazardous substances, took place in November, offering a platform for experts to discuss the latest developments in environmental protection, health, and occupational safety. Organized by UniQMoments, the event featured a series of lectures, workshops, and discussions, highlighting crucial changes in regulations and practical applications.
Changes in Organization and Venue
This year’s event brought a notable change in its organization and venue. While traditionally held in Munich, the invitation for the 41st edition indicated Darmstadt as the host city. Furthermore, UniQMoments took over the project management from Süddeutscher Verlag Veranstaltungen GmbH, following Ultima Media Germany GmbH’s acquisition of Süddeutscher Verlag in 2017 and the subsequent outsourcing of specialized events. These changes initially raised questions about the focus on German hazardous substance law, which were addressed throughout the event.
The congress commenced on the morning of November 26th, with a new project manager from Ultima Media and moderators Prof. Dr. Anke Kahl and Dr. Birgit Stöffler. An exclusive factory tour at Merck in Darmstadt was part of the program, showcasing the company’s significant investments of approximately 1.5 billion Euros in new buildings over recent years.
New Asbestos Regulations and Their Impact
A central theme of the congress was the new regulations in the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV), particularly concerning asbestos. Andrea Bonner from BG BAU presented insights into the updated regulations, which primarily affect craftsmen working on existing buildings. The changes, implemented in December 2024, aim to enhance protection against carcinogenic substances in the workplace. While the ordinance generally excludes private households, specific provisions in §§ 5a and 11 now apply to them regarding asbestos.
The new § 5a GefStoffV mandates that those initiating construction projects provide all available information on the building’s history, including construction year and any existing asbestos documentation. Employers are responsible for assessing these risks and, if necessary, engaging external experts for technical surveys. For buildings constructed before October 31, 1993, the presence of asbestos is presumed unless disproven by historical or technical surveys. New guidelines for asbestos surveys have been published to aid in this process.
§ 11 outlines restrictions on the use and handling of asbestos, emphasizing demolition, renovation, and maintenance work. Partial demolition and renovation are now permitted under specific conditions, and functional maintenance work is allowed in low to medium-risk exposure areas (up to 100,000 fibers/m³). Private individuals undertaking such activities are also obligated to prevent the release of asbestos fibers and dust, adhering to the protective measures outlined in TRGS 519.
§ 11a details employer requirements for asbestos-related activities, including risk assessments, protective measures, and qualification standards for personnel. TRGS 519 is currently being revised to align with these changes, with a draft expected in autumn 2026. Interim guidance and new forms are available from the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).
Air Limit Values and TRGS 910
Dr. Birgit Stöffler (Merck) addressed the topic of air limit values and their implications for the new TRGS 910. She introduced the Binding Occupational Exposure Limit Values (BOELV) as a new type of limit value, which are listed in Annex III of Directive 2004/37/EC (the CMR Directive). While the GefStoffV does not explicitly mention BOELVs, § 7 Abs. 8 requires employers to comply with occupational exposure limits (AGW) and the limits specified in Annex III.
Currently, Annex III contains 38 BOELVs, with 18 of these having corresponding AGWs in TRGS 900. For 17 substances, TRGS 910 provides acceptance and tolerance concentrations (AK and TK). Dr. Markus Schwind (Sanofi) presented considerations for the design of the new TRGS 910, emphasizing a practical approach for employers to achieve continuous compliance with AK or AGW through a clear action plan. The revised TRGS 910 will include more detailed descriptions of protective measures and provide examples for implementation.
Emergency Showers and Employee Perspectives
Miriam Kühne from DENIOS presented the new DIN EN 15154 standard for emergency showers, covering body and eye showers with and without water connections for laboratories and other locations. This new standard introduces stricter structural requirements than previously outlined in TRGS 526 for laboratories.
Vadim Lenuck from the Industrial Union of Mining, Chemical, and Energy Workers (IG BCE) offered an employee perspective on the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. He acknowledged the improved readability of the revised GefStoffV but highlighted ongoing interpretation challenges, particularly regarding BOELVs. Lenuck expressed hope that digital assistants could mitigate uncertainties in applying regulations in the future, emphasizing the need for structured data processing by AI in occupational safety.
Indispensable Metals and the EMKG Anniversary
Dr. Martin Wieske from the German Non-Ferrous Metals Association (WirtschaftsVereinigung Metalle) discussed the critical role of metallic raw materials in industrial value creation. Many metals are classified as critical or strategic raw materials under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), including lithium, cobalt, rare earths, and gallium. TRGS 561, revised in November 2025, addresses activities involving carcinogenic metals and their compounds, providing specific protective measures to minimize employee exposure. The new TRGS 505 for lead, also approved in November 2025, implements a binding air limit value (BOELV) due to lead’s reproductive toxicity, with biomonitoring playing a crucial role.
The 20th anniversary of the Simple Measures Concept for Hazardous Substances (EMKG) was celebrated, with Annette Johnen (BAuA) presenting its evolution. The EMKG, which assists companies in risk assessment, has expanded from three core modules to five, including new modules for eye hazards and hazardous substance storage. The concept provides guidance through protective guidelines and tiered measures, with a fourth stage for expert consultation in high-risk scenarios.
Heike Lehmann from Steinway & Sons complemented this by describing the EMKG’s application in piano manufacturing, including the assessment of physical strain using BAuA’s key feature methods. Annette Johnen further emphasized that a competent risk assessment is a team effort, requiring a collaborative approach due to the varied expertise needed.
Second Congress Day: Digitalization and Climate Change Adaptation
The second day of the congress commenced with the announcement that Patrick Säckler, former project manager for Süddeutscher Verlag, has established UniQMoments UG and will now lead the project management for future Hazardous Substances and Safety Days. The next event, the 42nd Munich Hazardous Substances and Safety Days, is scheduled for November 25-26, 2026, in Munich.
Dr. Sascha Wischniewski (BAuA) provided an overview of digitalization in occupational safety, highlighting its transformative impact on the workplace and the need for human-centered design. Christian Kuckartz (BGM-Solutions) emphasized that effective digital solutions integrate with existing analog processes rather than replacing them. Dr. Andreas Mainka (Mainka Bau) showcased the successful implementation of digitalization through the Mainka-App, which uses QR codes on construction sites to identify hazards and communicate protective measures, contributing to a zero accident rate at his company.
Prof. Anke Kahl and Magnus Nauth (Bergische Universität Wuppertal) presented findings from the
