FoBiG

FoBiG was founded in 1986 by the occupational scientist and industrial engineer Dr. Fritz Kalberlah, who had previously established the department of "Chemical assessment at the workplace" at the "Öko-Institut" (Institute for Applied Ecology) in Freiburg. During the early phase, FoBiG was mainly engaged in the evaluation of hazardous substances at the workplace and related to the discussions around the methodology for the derivation of limit values. Since 1989, FoBiG has been active in compiling and evaluating the toxicological data for approximately 100 chemicals known to be relevant at hazardous waste sites. This work was carried out on behalf of the German Federal Environmental Agency (Umweltbundesamt) within the framework of drafting regulations for the Federal Soil Protection Law (Bundesbodenschutzgesetz). In addition, FoBiG has provided assessment of several key chemicals at the workplace (e.g., solvents, metal-working fluids and lubricants) on behalf of, among others, the trade union of metal-workers (IG Metall). In 1992, FoBiG was converted into a private limited company with Martin Hassauer, Fritz Kalberlah and Klaus Schneider as partners of the company. The range of issues broadened and work was carried out for local, federal and national government agencies as well as industry and various stakeholders (e.g. consumer groups and industrial federations). During the latter half of the 1990ies, international projects in cooperation with EU institutions, US committees and in research projects were carried out. In 1995, the company moved to larger premises on Werderring. After 14 years, we moved again (on 1 July 2009) into our new premises with a very nice view of the city and nearby Black Forest mountains. At the same time, our long-time staff member Jan Oltmanns joined as a partner of the company.