The GDCh takes a position on many chemistry-related topics from education, research and science policy. Here you will find a compilation of the relevant statements and position papers, which are available for download as pdf files. Our scientific and popular science publications can be found in the publications
Strengthening Germany as a biotechnology location by reducing bureaucracy in genetic engineering law
Joint statement signed by representatives of numerous organisations, including GDCh President Prof. Stefanie Dehnen (September 2025)
Why a "combined science subject" at lower secondary level is currently not a good idea
Joint statement by science and science didactics societies and professional associations on the further development of science teaching (June 2025)
Germany needs innovations. Innovations need materials research
Position paper of the Bundesvereinigung Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik e.V. (BV MatWerk). The BV MatWerk, of which the GDCh is a member, sees itself as an interface between science, associations and politics. (June 2025)
Science needs more than money and good words
Joint statement by the German Geosciences Umbrella Organisation (DVGeo), the German Mathematical Society (DMV), the Society of German Chemists (GDCh) and the Association of Biology, Life Sciences and Biomedicine in Germany (VBIO). On the occasion of the coalition agreement published by the CDU/CSU and SPD, the major mathematical and scientific societies united in the "Wissenschaft verbindet" alliance are publishing their positions on the framework conditions for Germany as a centre of science (April 2025).
MINT skills shortage jeopardises our prosperity
Joint position paper by DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V., the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh), the Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie (GBM), the Verband angestellter Akademiker und leitender Angestellter der chemischen Industrie e.V. (VAA - Fach- und Führungskräfte Chemie) and the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure (VDI). (June 2024)
White paper on the situation of experimental chemistry teaching in German schools
published by the GDCh and the Conference of Chemistry Departments (KFC) (February 2024)
Statement of the mathematical and scientific societies against anti-democratic and nationalistic approaches in Germany Joint press release by the German Geosciences Association (DVGeo), the German Mathematical Society (DMV), the German Physical Society (DPG), the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the Association of Biology, Biosciences and Biomedicine in Germany (VBIO) (February 2024)
Statement of the GDCh on the terrorist attacks on Israel (October 2023)
GDCh statement and discussions on ECHA's PFAS restriction proposal (September 2023)
Mathematical and scientific societies comment on the planned amendment to the German Act on Temporary Scientific Contracts (WissZeitVG)
The five major professional societies in the life sciences, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics and physics in Germany comment on the planned amendment to the German Act on Temporary Scientific Contracts (July 2023)
Mathematical and scientific societies: Strengthen basic research in Germany
On the occasion of the "International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development 2022/2023 (IYBSSD)" proclaimed by UNESCO, the five major societies of life sciences, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics and physics are calling for basic research in Germany and its importance for sustainable development to be more highly valued, better communicated and more effectively promoted. (July 2022)
Further education and training of teachers is not a leisure activity!
Joint position paper of the mathematical and scientific societies on further education and training of teachers, published by DVGeo, DMV, DPG, GDCh and VBIO. (March 2022)
Joint statement by DVGeo, DPG, GDCh and VBIO on the war in Ukraine (25 Feb. 2022)
Recommendations of the GDCh Study Commission on the Bachelor's degree programme in Chemistry at Universities (August 2021)
Education, research and innovation policy position paper of the chemical organisations
Joint position paper of the GDCh with seven other chemical organisations (March 2021)
Covid-19 and the role of aerosol particles
Statement of the joint Working Committee on Aerosol Particles (AAF) of DECHEMA/ProcessNet, GDCh and KRdL (December 2020)
Recommendations of the chemical societies for new tender contents for the promotion of materials research, published by GDCh, Dechema and VCI (November 2020)
see also joint position paper of GDCh, Dechema and VCI "Strengthening Germany through material innovations" from June 2018, at the bottom of this page.
Joint position paper of the mathematical and scientific societies on the COVID-19 pandemic, published by DVGeo, DMV, DPG, GDCh and VBIO (May 2020)
Open letter from the GDCh Senior Expert Chemistry Group to the European Commission (Discussion of more advanced nonselective herbicide technologies in Europe) (June 2020)
Scientific societies on climate change: "Listen to the science!" (January 2020)
Four major mathematical and scientific societies in Germany are calling on politicians and industry to take vigorous action against climate change. They refer to the available scientific findings, which call for more decisive action.
Whitepaper on digitalisation in catalysis research by the German Catalysis Society (GeCatS), published by DBG, DECHEMA, DGMK, GDCh and VDI (March 2019)
Statement of the German Chemical Society on "Plan S" (framework conditions for the transition to Open Access) (December 2018)
Statement of the German Chemical Society on "Plan S" (English)
Statement of the GDCh Division "Chemistry Education" on structural requirements for experimental teaching in schools (2018)
Polymer research in Germany, position paper of the GDCh Division of Macromolecular Chemistry (July 2018)
Joint position paper of the GDCh, DECHEMA and the Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. "Strengthening Germany through material innovations" (June 2018)
Lehrprofil Katalyse / Key Topic Collection for Catalysis Teaching of the German Catalysis Society (GeCatS), published by DBG, DECHEMA, DGMK, GDCh and VDI (March 2018)
Position paper of the GDCh Nuclear Chemistry Division "Research & Perspectives", 2nd revised edition (January 2018)
Discussion results and recommendations from the closed conference "Strengthening chemistry teaching in grades 5 and 6" (June 2017)
Position paper "Energy storage - The contribution of chemistry", published by DBG, DECHEMA, DGMK, DPG, GDCh, VCI and VDI (January 2015)"; the study "Energy storage as an element of a secure energy supply" was published in Chemie, Ingenieur, Technik, issue 1/2/2015.
Position Paper "Energy Storage Systems - The Contribution of Chemistry" (May 2016)
Hague Ethics Guidelines(January 2016)
Under the leadership of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), more than 30 scientists and representatives of chemical societies, including the GDCh, developed the "Hague Ethics Guidelines", which are expressly supported by the GDCh Executive Board. Further information and Hague Ethics Guidelines (German translation)
Recommendations of the GDCh Study Commission for the Bachelor's Programme Chemistry at Universities (April 2015)
Joint statement of the mathematical and scientific societies on university funding (January 2015)
Strategy paper of the Working Committee on Fine Dust of ProcessNet, KRdL and GDCh (English), (Strategy paper fine particles 2014) (November 2014)
Statement on the further development of the CHE ranking (December 2013)
GDCh Position Paper "On the Future of Scientific Publishing" (December 2013)
GDCh Position Paper "On the Future of Scientific Publishing" (December 2013)
Position paper "Positions and demands of the chemical organisations from science and industry on education, research and innovation", published by BAVC, DBG, DECHEMA, GDCh, GBM, IG BCE, VAA and VCI (January 2013)
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