News from QUBUS

Don’t forget to do this in good time! Operators of installations requiring a permit are obliged to submit their emissions declaration for the 2020 reporting year by 31 May 2021, in accordance with the 11th BImSchV. This involves determining the type, quantity and timing of the air pollutants emitted, and submitting the emissions declaration in electronic form (BUBE-Online) to the relevant authority. The fact that reporting is only required every four years often means that the calculation of emission data does not run quite as smoothly as it might, or proves to be much more time-consuming than one would like. If the plant has been expanded or its operation altered since the last submission, this may mean that technical queries need to be clarified in advance before the data is collected.

With our many years of experience, we’d be happy to assist you with this! Whether you need advice on specific issues or help with submitting the entire tax return, please get in touch with us in good time to avoid any bottlenecks just before the deadline.

Our range of services:

• Preparing the emissions declaration and submitting the data via the online tool
• Assistance with the compilation and calculation of emissions data
• Communicating with the authorities if you have any queries
• The person to contact for any enquiries regarding the preparation and submission of the declaration
• Clarification as to whether there are any exemptions from the obligation to pay

We are also happy to assist you with the preparation of other annual reports, such as the E-PRTR report, the IE report for IE installations, or other reports required by law (wastewater, waste, solvents/VOCs, etc.). Please do get in touch!

Your expert contact for all enquiries regarding the emissions declaration in accordance with Section 11 of the BImSchV:

Frank Schüle (Tel. +49 7171 1040817, schuele@qubus.de)
Franziska Kabasic (Tel. +49 7171 1040858, kabasic@qubus.de)

Information on emissions declarations for operators of installations requiring a permit pdf

After this eventful year of 2020, we are turning our attention to tradition during the festive season. Even though things are a little different this year, we are finding ways to celebrate together. Due to the current situation, our Christmas party will take a new form, and QUBUS and IFO will be celebrating a week of Christmas festivities.

This week, the staff are enjoying warm mulled wine and punch, as well as festive biscuits. And of course, the large Christmas tree in the foyer is a must-see – beneath it, the coveted Ritzenhoff collector’s mugs await the hard-working trainees, who, on behalf of the management, will be distributing them to the staff at QUBUS and IFO.

As Christmas approaches and the year draws to a close, we wish you – our customers, partners and prospective clients – much joy and some relaxing moments. Stay well!

Twenty-five years ago, the QUBUS and IFO Group was launched as a service provider and problem-solver for companies specialising in surface technology.

The two companies, founded in 1995 by four friends who were surface treatment specialists, have set themselves the aim of offering all the services for the surface treatment sector that may be required throughout the production process – planning, compliance with environmental regulations, energy management, quality marks, assistance with claims and analysis. This approach, combining a broad range of services, know-how and specialist expertise, has proved successful and helpful to many customers, and remains so to this day.

25 years of the IFO/QUBUS Group: Milestones, current developments and challenges:

An interview with Marc Holz in *besser lackieren*

Press release: 25 years of QUBUS and IFO

For two reasons, social distancing was a key topic at our latest fire safety seminar on 11 September. – With the necessary safety distance maintained, the theoretical part of the fire safety assistant training was first completed in the large, airy seminar room; we then went outside, where each participant was able to practise extinguishing a fire whilst maintaining an appropriate distance from the fire.

The next training session will take place on 23 October 2020 in our training rooms.

The training takes place on a Friday afternoon or morning (4 hours)

In accordance with Section 10 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and ASR A 2.2 (Technical Regulations for Workplaces), the law requires that a sufficient number of employees be trained as fire safety assistants. The required ratio is 10% of the workforce.

Further information on fire safety assistant training

An additional session of the ZVO Basic Seminar on Electroplating and Surface Technology will take place in Schwäbisch Gmünd from 12 to 14 October 2020. With this 2½-day introductory seminar, the ZVO offers an opportunity to refresh or improve your basic knowledge of electroplating and surface treatment. Registration is open until 11 September. Further information can be found in the seminar leaflet.

Authorities and insurers are increasingly requiring surface-level businesses to appoint a fire safety officer. The officer’s duties are set out in law and require additional proof of specialist competence.

This service is also provided by Qubus as part of an external service provision. We would be happy to draw up a bespoke solution and a quotation for you. To ensure we can provide the best possible support for all your enquiries, we have further expanded our existing fire safety resources and trained an additional member of staff.

Would you like further information on this topic? Our Environment, Fire Safety and Health and Safety Department will be happy to answer your questions.

Your contact: Frank Schüle (+49 7171 1040817, schuele[at]qubus.de)

The revised TRGS 600 is available on the website of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).

The rule is intended to help employers avoid activities involving hazardous substances and to replace such substances with substances, mixtures or processes which, under the relevant conditions of use, pose no risk or a lower risk to employees, or to replace hazardous processes with less hazardous ones.

Unlike previously, when this applied only to toxic substances, it must now be carried out for all substance classifications as part of the risk assessment.

TRGS 600 has been completely revised; amongst other things, the following changes have been made:
– updating to reflect the current status of regulations and guidelines, in particular the GefStoffV and TRGS 400
– the distinction from the REACH Regulation – an adjustment with regard to classification under the CLP Regulation when determining the urgency of substitution, and
– the transition of the column model to the CLP Regulation

The regulation was published in the Joint Ministerial Gazette No. 21 of 24 July 2020.

Would you like further information on this topic? Our Environment, Fire Safety and Health and Safety Department will be happy to answer your questions.

Your contact: Frank Schüle (+49 7171 1040817, schuele[at]qubus.de)

Thorough hand washing is, of course, the first line of defence in preventing infections. QUBUS is on hand to advise companies in the surface technology sector on any additional health and safety measures that are now required, even during these challenging times. We are here to support you, particularly with the implementation of infection control measures within your organisation, the necessary documentation such as operating instructions for biological agents and risk assessments, guidance on disinfectants (in-house production, handling and labelling), the use of respiratory protection masks, etc., we are here to support you. The Occupational Safety and Health Act, in conjunction with the Infection Protection Act, requires businesses to implement appropriate measures. Pandemic plans not only protect employees but also ensure the safe continuation of production (Emergency Preparedness Plan – Business Continuity Plan). Please do ask us – the Environment, Fire Safety and Health and Safety Department will be happy to answer your questions!

Your contact:

Frank Schüle ((+49 7171 1040817. schuele[at]qubus.de)

Planning and implementing a new paint shop presents a major challenge for companies. The bespoke paint shop should be productive, efficient and safe.

You can find out how to go about this systematically and what you need to bear in mind here (Published in *besser Lackieren*).

If you have any questions about paint finishing systems, our contact person will be happy to assist you.

Your contact:

Rainer Göpfrich ((+49 7171 1040829. Rainer.goepfrich[at]qubus.de)

As a company, we have put extensive measures in place to protect our customers and staff, to safeguard both your and our health, whilst ensuring that we can continue to operate for you, our customers. Our staff are working from home wherever possible.

Thanks to our technical capabilities, you can still easily contact your personal point of contact via the usual channels (telephone, email and video chat) for any enquiries regarding our services.

We are trying, in consultation with you, to avoid on-site visits as far as possible and are happy to advise you via telephone or video conferencing, so that we can continue to provide our usual high standard of advice on all your queries. For training courses and workshops, we have set up the option for you to attend online sessions.

Our laboratory is also happy to continue handling your enquiries, whilst strictly adhering to infection control measures, and will endeavour to process your orders on time.

Despite the restrictions, all our contact persons can be reached using the usual contact details. If you have any questions about our services, please do not hesitate to contact our central reception, who will be happy to put you through to the relevant department (Tel. +49 7171 10408-0; info@qubus.de; info@ifo-gmbh.de).