Abstract

In response to the need for better, faster, and more cost-effective cleanups, many countries have initiated programs to commercialize innovative technologies for hazardous waste site remediation. At the same time, technology vendors are seeking to expand their markets into the international arena. Experience to date has shown that technologies can face initial barriers from inherent differences in each country’s approach to environmental remediation. Approaches vary based on the differing levels of development and structures of environmental programs in each country. To bridge the differences between Germany and the United States of America (U.S.), the two countries are collaborating to develop an integrated approach to standards and protocols for evaluating innovative technologies. The U.S. and German Bilateral Agreement on Remediation of Hazardous Waste Sites (bilateral agreement), established between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Germany’s Bundesministerium fur Forschung und Technologie (BMFT, translated as German Federal Ministry for Research and Technology) [Refer to Sanning and Schroeter Abstract], is the result of a research and development joint venture between EPA and BMFT that was established to compare innovative approaches to remediating hazardous waste sites. This comparison is accomplished by exchanging regulatory, technical, and business information on new hazardous waste cleanup technologies and by co-evaluating technology demonstrations in each country. The combination of EPA and BMFT resources allows innovative technologies to be evaluated by both countries and provides an international perspective to technology vendors about how their technology will potentially perform in the each country.

Full Text

Published Version

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.