OSPAR Commission

Chemicals for Priority Action

The List of Chemicals for Priority Action in its current form was adopted in 2002. There are currently 42 substances or groups of substances on the List of Chemicals for Priority Action. OSPAR action is focused on the substances on Part A of the List. For each of these substances or groups of substances a background document has been prepared (see below). Since 2002 the list has been revised to reflect removal of substances from this list, as well as the List of Substances of Possible Concern.

The Background Documents assess the situation for the substance and conclude on what actions OSPAR should take to move towards the cessation target. They are reviewed periodically, resulting in review statements or revised Background Documents, depending on whether the new information available affects the risk evaluation and the recommended actions.

OSPAR has adopted monitoring strategies for the hazardous substances for which background documents have been prepared. These describe information to be collected in order to monitor progress towards the cessation target.

In 2004, OSPAR has decided not to systematically run DYNAMEC for the selection and prioritisation of substances, because the evaluation of chemicals and their properties was sufficiently covered by EU legislation. In the work on substances of possible concern, OSPAR is relying on progress on the evaluation of substances under the REACH Regulation and on the priorisation of substances under the Water Framework Directive.

Download here the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action. with annotations. The table below provides quick access to Background Documents for chemicals for priority action listed in Part A.