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.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
- 2,4,6-Bromophenyl 1-2(2,3-dibromo-2-methylpropyl)
- Pentabromoethylbenzene
- Heptachloronorbornene
- Pentachloroanisole
- Polychlorinated naphthalenes
- 3,3'-(ureylenedimethylene)bis(3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl) diisocyanate
- Ethyl O-(p-nitrophenyl) phenyl phosphonothionate (EPN)
- Flucythrinate
- Isodrin
- Tetrasul
- Diosgenin