Industrial, energy and environmental policy

As part of the remit of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Germany to represent all interests for the commercial sector, the representation of interests for the manufacturing trades forms part of our Business Unit. This is where, amongst other things, positions in relation to energy, environmental and industrial policy are prepared and measures pursued to improve the framework conditions for this branch of the economy. In addition to information events on current issues, the main instrument used for this is a comprehensive portfolio of publications.

UMFIS presents the know-how of the German environmental sector in a web-based database of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, detailing around 10,000 companies and facilities which specialise in solving environmental questions – for example, in areas such as saving energy and climate protection, waste recycling and disposal, or handling hazardous materials and safety engineering. UMFIS brings those seeking advice together with the problem-solvers. As well as listing environmental engineering manufacturers and environmental service providers able to carry out works, it also details consultancies and engineering offices, experts and investigators, along with R&D establishments.

The IHK Recycling Exchange provides contacts between producers of recyclable waste and those interested in such materials, via a Germany-wide central database operated by the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). Using this database, all types of recyclable materials (sorted into 18 main categories) can be requested or offered, via a box-number advert.

Under the 5^th amendment to the German Packaging Ordinance, from 1.1.2009 all domestic-type packaging must be licensed with one of the eight Dual System recycling organisations. Own disposal is no longer permitted from this point on. If specified quantities of packaging material are exceeded, in addition to licensing the companies concerned must also submit what is known as a ”Vollständigkeitserklärung” (Declaration of Completeness) to the locally-responsible Chambers of Industry and Commerce, advising the quantity of the various types of packaging being put into circulation. The aim of this declaration is to create transparency regarding disposal of packaging, and to ensure that packaging originating from commerce and industry is not disposed of as domestic-type waste.

REACH is a common Europe-wide system for registration, evaluation and authorisation of all chemicals, materials, preparations and products in circulation (for example chemical basic materials, dyes and varnishes). For the production, marketing and processing of these substances within the EU and for their import into the EU, it is now a requirement to demonstrate that they do not give rise to concerns. Companies which annually manufacture or import one tonne or more of such materials are therefore obliged to arrange for registration of these products. Depending on the degree of hazard associated with the materials, additional measures (such as drawing up a safety data sheet) will need to be initiated.

The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce's energy consultancy provides companies with information on how they can save energy in different areas of application, e.g. on lighting, heating, air-conditioning or through CPH (combined power and heating). In addition to individual short-term consultancy, information events are also staged on this issue.

The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce runs the Hamburg Contract Consultancy Office (Auftragsberatungsstelle, or ABST), which assists companies in securing public contracts, e.g. by providing general consultancy and staging information events on the public tendering process. In addition, ABST maintains a file where companies can have their details recorded if they have an interest in principle in being named as possible contract partners in the event of inquiries from public commissioning bodies (known as the ”bidder file– - ”Bieter-Datei–).

In the event of a staff member being called up for military or civilian service, the option exists to submit an application to the responsible authority for acknowledgement of indispensable status or for deferral. The precondition for this is a time-limited period of being indispensable to a company's operations, or a threat to the company's continuance, if the military or civilian service is completed. On request from the responsible authority, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce assesses whether the call-up for military or civilian service will harm the interests of the company concerned, and submits an evaluation as to whether the application should be approved or refused.

Public agencies, such as the THW (a volunteer organisation providing emergency technical assistance) or the Federal Army, may essentially use their vehicles and equipment for commercial purposes if this does not harm the economy. Prior to such use, the commissioning body or the public agency may inquire of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce whether in the specific instance there are concerns regarding the respective proposal. In such instances, our Chamber of Commerce will issue what is known as a certificate of non-concern (”Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung”), or if there are concerns it will designate suitable companies who are able to carry out the work.