# German — Permitting and Environmental Law Sub-Lexicon

Maps German environmental and permitting vocabulary to correct English
equivalents. Covers EIA, immission control (BImSchG), water, waste, nature,
chemicals, contaminated sites, climate, and construction/zoning.

## Regulatory Framework

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz (BImSchG) | Federal Immission Control Act |
| Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung (UVPG) | Environmental Impact Assessment Act |
| Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz (KrWG) | Circular Economy Act |
| Wasserhaushaltsgesetz (WHG) | Federal Water Act |
| Bundesnaturschutzgesetz (BNatSchG) | Federal Nature Conservation Act |
| Bundes-Bodenschutzgesetz (BBodSchG) | Federal Soil Protection Act |
| Chemikaliengesetz (ChemG) | Chemicals Act |
| Umweltschadensgesetz (USchadG) | Environmental Damage Act |
| Treibhausgas-Emissionshandelsgesetz (TEHG) | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Act |
| Bundesklimaschutzgesetz (KSG) | Federal Climate Protection Act |
| Baugesetzbuch (BauGB) | Federal Building Code |
| Baunutzungsverordnung (BauNVO) | Land Utilization Ordinance |
| Verpackungsgesetz (VerpackG) | Packaging Act |
| Elektro- und Elektronikgerätegesetz (ElektroG) | Electrical Equipment Act |

## Regulators and Institutions

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz (BMUV) | Federal Environment Ministry |
| Umweltbundesamt (UBA) | Federal Environment Agency |
| Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) | Federal Agency for Nature Conservation |
| Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde (BfG) | Federal Institute of Hydrology |
| Länderbehörden (Landesumweltämter / Staatliche Umweltämter) | Federal-state environment authorities |
| Deutsche Emissionshandelsstelle (DEHSt) | German Emissions Trading Authority |
| Regierungspräsidium / Bezirksregierung | District government |
| untere / höhere Naturschutzbehörde | lower / higher nature-protection authority |
| untere / höhere Wasserbehörde | lower / higher water authority |
| Bauaufsichtsbehörde | building-supervision authority |
| Gewerbeaufsichtsamt | Trade Supervisory Office |

## Environmental Impact Assessment (UVP)

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung (UVP) | environmental impact assessment |
| strategische Umweltprüfung (SUP) | strategic environmental assessment |
| FFH-Verträglichkeitsprüfung | FFH (Natura 2000) compatibility assessment |
| Vorprüfung des Einzelfalls (Screening) | case-by-case screening |
| Unterrichtung über den Untersuchungsrahmen (Scoping) | scoping |
| UVP-Bericht | EIA report |
| Anlage 1 UVPG — X-/A-/S-Vorhaben | UVPG Annex 1 — project categories |
| grenzüberschreitende UVP | transboundary EIA |
| Öffentlichkeitsbeteiligung | public participation |
| Einwendungen | objections |
| Erörterungstermin | public hearing |
| Planfeststellungsverfahren | plan-approval procedure |
| Planfeststellungsbeschluss | plan-approval decision |
| Plangenehmigung | plan approval (simplified) |
| Eingriffs-/Ausgleichsregelung | impact / compensation rules |

## Immission Control and Integrated Permits

| German | English |
|---|---|
| immissionsschutzrechtliche Genehmigung | immission-control permit |
| genehmigungsbedürftige Anlage | permit-requiring installation |
| 4. BImSchV (Liste) | 4th BImSchV (installation list) |
| förmliches / vereinfachtes Verfahren | formal / simplified procedure |
| IE-Richtlinie (IED) — Umsetzung | IED implementation |
| beste verfügbare Techniken (BVT) | best available techniques (BAT) |
| BVT-Schlussfolgerungen | BAT conclusions |
| Emissionsgrenzwerte | emission limit values |
| TA Luft / TA Lärm | Technical Instructions on Air / Noise |
| wesentliche Änderung | substantial modification |
| Nachsorgepflichten | post-closure obligations |
| Störfall-Verordnung (12. BImSchV) | Major Accidents Ordinance (Seveso) |
| Sicherheitsbericht | safety report |
| interner / externer Notfallplan | internal / external emergency plan |
| Störfallbeauftragter | major-accident officer |

## Water Law

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wasserrahmenrichtlinie (WRRL) | Water Framework Directive |
| Bewirtschaftungsplan | river-basin management plan |
| Maßnahmenprogramm | program of measures |
| Wasserkörper | water body |
| ökologischer / chemischer Zustand | ecological / chemical status |
| wasserrechtliche Erlaubnis / Bewilligung | water-law permit / license |
| Benutzung eines Gewässers | use of a water body |
| Einleitung von Abwasser | discharge of wastewater |
| Kläranlage | wastewater treatment plant |
| Wasserschutzgebiet | water-protection area |
| gefährdete Gebiete (Nitrat) | nitrate-vulnerable zones |
| Hochwasserrisikomanagementplan | flood-risk management plan |
| gewässerschädigende Stoffe (AwSV) | water-hazardous substances |

## Waste and Circular Economy

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Abfall | waste |
| gefährlicher / nicht gefährlicher Abfall | hazardous / non-hazardous waste |
| Siedlungsabfall / gewerblicher Abfall | municipal / commercial waste |
| Abfallhierarchie | waste hierarchy |
| Vermeidung | prevention |
| Vorbereitung zur Wiederverwendung | preparation for re-use |
| Recycling | recycling |
| sonstige Verwertung (energetisch) | other (energy) recovery |
| Beseitigung | disposal |
| Ende der Abfalleigenschaft | end-of-waste |
| Nebenprodukt | by-product |
| erweiterte Herstellerverantwortung (EPR) | extended producer responsibility |
| Rücknahmesystem / duales System | take-back / dual system |
| elektronisches Abfallnachweisverfahren (eANV) | electronic waste tracking (eANV) |
| Begleitschein / Übernahmeschein | waste transfer / handover note |
| Abfallbeauftragter | waste officer |
| Deponie | landfill |
| Müllverbrennungsanlage / EBS | incinerator / RDF plant |

## Nature and Biodiversity

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Natura 2000 | Natura 2000 |
| Vogelschutzgebiet (SPA) | special protection area |
| FFH-Gebiet (besonderes Schutzgebiet) | special area of conservation (SAC) |
| Nationalpark | national park |
| Naturschutzgebiet | nature reserve |
| Landschaftsschutzgebiet | landscape protection area |
| Biosphärenreservat | biosphere reserve |
| Naturdenkmal | natural monument |
| geschützte Landschaftsbestandteile | protected landscape elements |
| besonders / streng geschützte Arten | specially / strictly protected species |
| artenschutzrechtliche Ausnahme (§ 45 BNatSchG) | species-protection derogation |
| CITES-Bescheinigung | CITES certificate |
| invasive Arten | invasive alien species |
| naturschutzrechtliche Eingriffs-/Ausgleichsregelung | impact regulation (compensation) |
| Ökokonto / Ausgleichsflächenpool | eco-account / compensation-area pool |

## Chemicals and Biocides

| German | English |
|---|---|
| REACH | REACH |
| Registrierung von Stoffen | substance registration |
| besonders besorgniserregende Stoffe (SVHC) | substances of very high concern |
| Sicherheitsdatenblatt (SDB) | safety data sheet |
| CLP-Verordnung | CLP Regulation |
| Biozidverordnung (528/2012) | Biocidal Products Regulation |
| persistente organische Schadstoffe (POP) | persistent organic pollutants |

## Contaminated Sites and Environmental Liability

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Altlast | contaminated site (historic) |
| altlastverdächtige Fläche | suspected contaminated site |
| schädliche Bodenveränderung | harmful soil alteration |
| Gefahrenverdacht | suspicion of hazard |
| Erkundung (orientierende / Detail-) | preliminary / detailed investigation |
| Gefährdungsabschätzung | risk assessment |
| Sanierung | remediation |
| Sanierungsuntersuchung / Sanierungsplan | remediation investigation / plan |
| Schutz- und Beschränkungsmaßnahmen | protective and restrictive measures |
| Störer (Verhaltens-/Zustandsstörer) | disturber (conduct / state) |
| Nachwirkungsverantwortung | post-closure liability |
| Verursacherprinzip | polluter-pays principle |
| umweltschadensrechtliche Haftung (USchadG) | ELD-based environmental liability |
| Handlungspflicht / Duldungspflicht | obligation to act / tolerate |

## Climate and Air

| German | English |
|---|---|
| EU-Emissionshandel (EU-ETS) | EU ETS |
| Berechtigungen / Zertifikate | emission allowances |
| Emissionsgenehmigung (TEHG) | greenhouse-gas emissions permit |
| nationales Emissionshandelssystem (nEHS / BEHG) | national emissions trading system (BEHG) |
| CO2-Grenzausgleichsmechanismus (CBAM) | Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism |
| Fit for 55 | Fit for 55 |
| Klimaneutralität | climate neutrality |
| Klimaschutzprogramm / -plan | climate protection program / plan |
| Luftqualitätsgrenzwerte | ambient air-quality limit values |
| Luftreinhalteplan | air-quality plan |
| Umweltzone | environmental zone |

## Construction, Planning and Zoning

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Baugenehmigung | building permit |
| Bauvorbescheid | preliminary building ruling |
| Abgeschlossenheitsbescheinigung | declaration of separateness (condominium) |
| Bebauungsplan (B-Plan) | local development plan |
| Flächennutzungsplan (F-Plan) | land-use plan |
| Regionalplan | regional plan |
| Landesentwicklungsplan | state development plan |
| Baulast | building encumbrance |
| Erschließungsbeitrag | development contribution |
| Sanierungsgebiet | redevelopment area |
| städtebaulicher Vertrag | urban-development contract |
| Denkmalschutz / denkmalrechtliche Genehmigung | monument protection / approval |
| Enteignung | expropriation |

## Enforcement and Procedure

| German | English |
|---|---|
| Umweltinspektion | environmental inspection |
| Anordnung | order |
| Zwangsmittel (Zwangsgeld, Ersatzvornahme) | enforcement means (penalty payment, substitute performance) |
| Bußgeld / Bußgeldbescheid | administrative fine / fine notice |
| Ordnungswidrigkeit | regulatory offense |
| Umweltstrafrecht (§§ 324 ff. StGB) | environmental criminal law (§§ 324 et seq. StGB) |
| Anfechtungsklage / Verpflichtungsklage | rescission / obligation action |
| Verwaltungsgerichtsordnung (VwGO) | Administrative Court Rules |
| Umwelt-Rechtsbehelfsgesetz (UmwRG) | Environmental Appeals Act |
| Klagebefugnis anerkannter Umweltvereinigungen | standing of recognized environmental associations |
| Aarhus-Konvention | Aarhus Convention |

## Notes

- **BImSchG as integrated permit**: The BImSchG permit operates as the
  integrated environmental permit for industrial installations. Installations
  listed in the 4. BImSchV require either a formal procedure (with public
  participation) or a simplified procedure depending on the column assignment.
  Permits cover air emissions, noise, waste, and water-discharge aspects are
  addressed in a concentrated procedure.
- **Planfeststellung**: Integrated multi-authorization procedure for
  infrastructure projects (railways, motorways, waterways, airports, pipelines,
  high-voltage lines, nuclear). Results in a "Planfeststellungsbeschluss" with
  "Konzentrationswirkung" — absorbs all other required permits. Critical
  translation concept in infrastructure work.
- **Länder implementation**: Environmental law is federal in substance but
  administered by the Länder (federal states). Each Land has its own
  environmental ministry and agencies. Permits are typically issued by Land
  authorities. Verify the applicable Land for the project — Bavaria,
  North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, etc. each have local administrative
  practice.
- **KrWG waste hierarchy and 5-step approach**: Prevention > re-use >
  recycling > other recovery > disposal. The 2020 amendment tightened end-of-
  waste criteria and clarified by-product status. Verpackungsgesetz (2019,
  extensively amended 2021 and 2023) implements the EU single-use plastics
  directive.
- **BBodSchG and Altlasten**: Federal Soil Protection Act plus BBodSchV
  implementing ordinance. Länder maintain Altlastenkataster (contaminated-site
  registers) with three categories: A (investigation needed), B (detailed
  investigation), C (remediation). Strict liability falls on "Verursacher"
  (polluter) and "Zustandsstörer" (current owner/occupier). Landmark BVerfG
  ruling (2000) capped Zustandsstörer liability at property value in certain
  cases.
- **USchadG (ELD transposition)**: Implements Directive 2004/35/EC. Strict
  liability for Annex III activities; fault-based liability for other
  operators causing biodiversity damage. Obligation to notify competent
  authority of imminent threat; remediation ordered by authority.
- **BEHG — national ETS**: National emissions trading system covering heating
  fuels and road transport fuels not covered by EU ETS. Fixed-price phase
  2021–2025; auction from 2026. Will be replaced or complemented by EU ETS 2
  (fuels for road transport and buildings) from 2027.
- **KSG — Federal Climate Protection Act**: Sets binding sectoral emissions
  budgets through 2030; net-zero by 2045 (earlier than EU-wide 2050). Famous
  BVerfG ruling of 24 March 2021 (1 BvR 2656/18) mandated stronger post-2030
  commitments — widely cited in climate-litigation translations.
- **Umwelt-Rechtsbehelfsgesetz (UmwRG)**: Implements the Aarhus Convention's
  access-to-justice pillar. Anerkannte Umweltvereinigungen (recognized
  environmental associations) have broad standing to challenge environmental
  decisions without showing personal injury. Post-2017 amendments significantly
  broadened scope following CJEU decisions.
- **Artenschutzrechtliche Prüfung (saP)**: Mandatory species-protection
  assessment for projects affecting protected species under § 44 BNatSchG.
  Particularly critical for wind-farm and infrastructure permits. § 45
  provides derogation regime — subject of extensive case law.
- **Cross-references**: See `german-real-estate.md` for building permits and
  zoning; `german-energy-infrastructure.md` for renewable-energy permitting
  and EU ETS; `german-corporate-ma-jv.md` for environmental reps and
  warranties; `german-litigation-settlement.md` for administrative-court
  procedure.
