Environment and environmental protection

The VDW represents the interests of its members when laws and ordinances are being drawn up in the field of environmental protection. For this purpose, the VDW is committed to proactive involvement in equipment-related ordinances and technical rules, which are based on the German Water Resources Act. In the past, important positions have been formulated on the German Electronic Scrap Ordinance.

For its members, the VDW is drawing up practical advice on complying with the existing statutory requirements. One result of this activity is the guide for Equipment-referenced water pollution control. With the Water pollution control information for purchasers of machine tools and production systems, the VDW is at the same time ensuring the relevant customer acceptance.

With its own research activities, the VDW creates the foundations for incorporating new findings in the regulatory work and its implementation. For example, in the Fundamentals of compliant water pollution control project, an execution recommendation for foundation concretes was formulated that takes due account of the requirements entailed by water pollution control.

The eco-friendly disposal of electronic scrap is conditional upon detailed knowledge of the components and materials used, which are known only to the manufacturer and the developer of the electronic components concerned. This is why the VDW, in conjunction with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), lobbied intensively to ensure that within the framework of the German Electronic Scrap Ordinance duly compliant take-back of the electrical and electronic components used in machine tools or other products from the mechanical engineering sector is guaranteed.

You will also find further information on the website of the VDMA.