Information about the Hazardous Substances Ordinance
The Hazardous Substances Ordinance (Gefahrstoffverordnung – GefStoffV) comprehensively regulates the protective measures for employees working with hazardous substances. Hazardous substances are materials, mixtures and products which have certain physical or chemical properties, for example, they are flammable, acute toxic, corrosive or carcinogenic - to name but the most dangerous.
On 30th November 2010, the ordinance for the revised version of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance and for the amendment of the Ordinances on Explosive Substances was announced in the Federal Gazette (BGBl. I, p. 1643). The ordinance came into effect on 1st December 2010.
On 6th February 2015, the ordinance for the revised version of the occupational safety requirements when using work materials and hazardous substances was announced in the Federal Gazette (BGBl. I, p. 49). Article 2 amends the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. This ordinance came into effect on 1st June 2015.
On 18th November 2016, the ordinance for the implementation of the Directive 2014/27/EU and the amendment of occupational safety regulations was announced in the Federal Gazette (BGBl. I, p. 2549). Article 1 amends the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. This ordinance came into effect on 19th November 2016.
On 4th April 2017, the law for the removal of unnecessary requirements for the written form in the administrative law of the federal government was announced in the Federal Gazette (BGBl. I, p. 626). Article 148 amends the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. This ordinance came into effect on 05th April 2017.
On 27th July, 2021, the ordinance amending the Biological Agents Ordinance and other occupational health and safety ordinances was announced in the Federal Gazette (BGBl I, p. 3115). Article 2 amends the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. This ordinance came into effect on October 1st, 2021.
On this page you will find information on the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV).