OSPAR List of priority substances

The OSPAR convention is a convention between countries along the coasts of the North-East Atlantic which aims to protect the marine environment from pollution, which includes pollutants. For this purpose, it established in 2002, a list of 42 substances of priority action after analysis of 310 substances of possible concern. These 310 substances were analyzed for three criteria: persistence, toxicity and bioaccumulation. When all 3 criteria applied the substance was included in the list of substances of priority action. These substances were divided into thee groups: part A, part B and part C substances.

OSPAR action is focused part A substances. For each of these substances a background document has been made to elaborate their current environmental status and which measures should be followed by member states to reduce anthropogenic pollution caused by these substances. The aim is the cessation of anthropogenic discharges, emissions and losses of these substances by 2020.

Neither for part B or part C substances such a background document has been prepared. This is because part C substances aren't produced or discharged in any of the member states, while part B substances are only produced as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. Therefore no action plan against any these 2 types of substances is necessary .

Part A substances

The following 28 substances and chemical compounds are included in part A of the list of chemicals for priority action established by the OSPAR convention. A background document has been prepared for each of these substances. You can find this background document here

• Cadmium
• Lead and its compounds
• Mercury and its compounds
• Organic tin compounds
• Neodecanoic acid, ethenyl ester
• Perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS)
• Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A)
• 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene
• 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene
• 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene
• Brominated flame retardants
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs)
• Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)
• 4-(dimethylbutylamino)diphenylamin (6PPD)
• Dicofol
• Endosulphan
• Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCH)
• Methoxychlor
• Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
• Trifluralin
• Clotrimazole
• 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol
• Nonylphenol/ethoxylates (NP/NPEs) and related substances
• Octylphenol
• Dibutylphthalate (DBP), diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP)
• Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Musk xylene

Part B substances

The following 2 substances and chemical compounds are included in part B of the list of chemicals for priority action established by the OSPAR convention. These compounds are currently in OSPAR countries only produced as an intermidiate for the production of other chemicals.

• 1,5,9 cyclododecatriene
• Cyclododecane

Part C substances

The following 12 substances and chemical compounds are included in part B of the list of chemicals for priority action established by the OSPAR convention. These compounds are currently not produced in any of the OSPAR countries.

• 2-propenoic acid, (pentabromo)methyl ester NO INFO AVAILABLE
• 2,4,6-Bromophenyl 1-2(2,3-dibromo-2-methylpropyl) NO INFO AVAILABLE
• Pentabromoethylbenzene
• Heptachloronorbornene NO INFO AVAILABLE
• Pentachloroanisole
• Polychlorinated naphthalenes
• 3,3'-(ureylenedimethylene)bis(3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl) diisocyanate NO INFO AVAILABLE
• Ethyl O-(p-nitrophenyl) phenyl phosphonothionate (EPN)
• Flucythrinate
• Isodrin
• Tetrasul Little INFO
• Diosgenin Why a priority substance?