Federal Environment Agency (UBA)

The agency was set up in Berlin by an act of the German parliament on 22nd July 1974. We are charged with four key tasks:

• scientific support for the federal German environment ministry on environmental protection and health issues 
• bringing scientific expertise into the execution of law; from granting permission for German activities in the Antarctic to participating the licensing crop protection agents or the release of genetically modified organisms 
• collecting and making available data on the environment 
• informing the general public about environmental issues 

We examine, describe and assess the state of the environment, in order to discover danger to humans and the environment as clearly and early as possible. Our various units develop plans and suggest effective action to be taken by the German environment (BMU) and other ministries, as well as advising other state, regional and private bodies. We participate in international environmental councils and conferences, making out experience and expertise available at home and abroad. And we provide clear information for the general public on the causes of environmental problems and practical options for solving them.
The Federal Environment Agency, together with the Federal Radiation Protection and Nature Protection Agencies, provides the scientific basis for German environmental policy.
Over the past years, the Federal Environment Agency has grown, not only in the range of its activities, but also in scale: with the reunification of Germany, over 200 additional employees came to the FEA from the new LŠnder in 1991. When the Federal Health Agency was dissolved, the Institute for Water, Soil and Air Hygiene was integrated into the FEA.
Today, over 1,000 employees are working at our branches in Berlin, Bad Elster, Langen, Kleinmachnow as well as in measuring stations spread over the whole of Germany.