Press Notice

FURTHER PROTECTION FOR THE NORTH-EAST ATLANTIC

New measures for the protection of the North-East Atlantic were adopted by the OSPAR Commission at its annual meeting in Copenhagen on 26-30 June.

Two measures were adopted on implementing the OSPAR Commission’s strategy on radioactive substances. First, a programme for more detailed work on the implementation of this strategy was adopted by consensus. This provides for the adoption of national plans, the submission of detailed forecasts of how the elimination or reduction of radioactive substances from both nuclear and non-nuclear sources will be achieved, in order to meet the 2020 goal on radioactive discharges, emissions and losses, and the development of collective oversight of progress towards this goal.

Secondly, a binding decision on the reduction and elimination of radioactive discharges, emissions and losses, especially from nuclear reprocessing, was adopted by 12 states. This requires the urgent review of current authorisations for discharges and releases of radioactive substances from nuclear reprocessing plants, with a view to implementing the non-reprocessing option for spent nuclear fuel management at appropriate facilities, and taking preventive measures against pollution from accidents. France and the United Kingdom abstained, and are not therefore bound. Luxembourg was absent.

With the establishment of a ‘dynamic mechanism for selecting and prioritising hazardous substances’, the OSPAR Commission finalised a first and essential step in the implementation of its long term strategy on hazardous substances. As a result, twelve new hazardous substances were added to the OSPAR List of Chemicals for priority action (see attachment).

The OSPAR Commission also adopted by consensus several measures to control chemicals from both offshore and land-based sources. With two Decisions and two Recommendations, a new international standard for the regulation of the use and discharge of offshore chemicals and drilling fluids was set. The agricultural and non-agricultural use of pesticides and emission limits values for the emulsion PVC sector are the objects of three new Recommendations.

Under the strategy to combat eutrophication, the OSPAR Commission agreed which areas of the North East Atlantic do not present eutrophication problems, adopted on a trial basis guidelines for evaluating nutrient inputs to the sea, and put in hand work on comprehensive assessments of the areas where there are, or may be, eutrophication problems.

The OSPAR Commission adopted and launched the Quality Status Report on the whole of the North-East Atlantic, the "QSR 2000". This report, together with reports covering the five regions of the OSPAR maritime area, is a first reviewing this part of the ocean in such detail (see separate press notice).

The OSPAR Commission also finished its review of methods of work and established a new organisational structure, to help effective implementation of the five long-term strategies and effective follow-up to the Quality Status Report on the whole of the North-East Atlantic.

The OSPAR Commission brings together Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the European Community (represented by the European Commission). Observers from 25 non-governmental organisations, representing environmental groups and industry, also contribute to the Commission’s work.

The Commission works on the basis of the 1992 OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic, and within the framework of five long-term strategies.

In July 1998, at a Ministerial meeting in Sintra, Portugal, the OSPAR Commission adopted ground-breaking strategies on hazardous substances and radioactive substances, which committed the Member States and the European Community to make every effort to move towards the elimination of inputs of hazardous substances and radioactive substances from human activities to the sea "within one generation" – that is, by 2020. Furthermore, strategies to combat eutrophication and for the protection of marine ecosystems were adopted. With the adoption, in 1999, of a Strategy on Environmental Goals and Management Mechanisms for Offshore Activities, the OSPAR Commission completed the overhaul of its policies to give effect to the consolidated and up-dated international convention under which it works and which entered into force in 1998.

Further information from: www.ospar.org

OSPAR CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT OF THE NORTH-EAST ATLANTIC

MEETING OF THE OSPAR COMMISSION

COPENHAGEN: 26-30 JUNE 2000

Dodecylphenol (CAS number: 732-26-3)

Dodecylphenol is manufactured in the European Union with an estimated maximum tonnage of 1 000 tonnes/annum for use as an antioxidant in rubber and plastic. It is thus likely to have a disperse use. Test data on the dodecylphenol indicate that it is of high aquatic toxicity, highly bioaccumulative and will not degrade rapidly in the environment. Other alkylphenols, such as nonylphenol, were already identified for priority action in 1998, when the Commission adopted the OSPAR Strategy with regard to Hazardous Substances (cf. Annex 2 of this strategy).

Dicofol (CAS number: 115-32-2)

Dicofol is supplied in the European Union at levels greater than 1 000 tonnes/annum for use as a acaricide. The substance is highly toxic to aquatic organisms, bioaccumulative and will not degrade rapidly in the aquatic environment. It is currently not on a priority list for assessment under the EC Plant Protection Products Directive. Because of its potential for endocrine disrupting effects, dicofol is included in the OSPAR 1998 List of Candidate Substances (cf. List 7 in Annex 3 of the OSPAR Strategy with regard to Hazardous Substances).

Endosulphan (CAS number: 115-29-7)

Endosulphan is produced in high volume in the European Union for use as an insecticide. It is very highly toxic, bioaccumulative and not easily degradable. Monitoring programmes detected this substance in surface waters. Because of its potential for endocrine disrupting effects, endosulphan is included in the OSPAR 1998 List of Candidate Substances (cf. List 7 in Annex 3 of the OSPAR Strategy with regard to Hazardous Substances).

Methoxychlor (CAS number: 72-43-5)

Methoxychlor is used principally as an insecticide, although production and use volumes are now thought to be low. It has been found in surface waters. Methoxychlor shows very high toxicity to aquatic species, is highly bioaccumulative and does not degrade easily in the aquatic environment. It is structurally analogous to DDT.

Octylphenol (CAS number: 140-66-9)

Octylphenol is produced in high volume for use as an intermediate in the production of surfactants, formaldehyde resins etc. It is also formed following the breakdown of octylphenol ethoxylates in the environment and is thus subject to wide dispersive use and distribution. Octylphenol is very toxic to aquatic organisms, is not easily degraded in the environment and has been detected in surface waters. Because octylphenol is considered to show significant endocrine disrupting effects, it is included in the OSPAR 1998 List of Candidate Substances (cf. List 6 in Annex 3 of the OSPAR Strategy with regard to Hazardous Substances). Other alkylphenols, such as nonylphenol, were already identified for priority action in 1998, when the Commission adopted the OSPAR Strategy with regard to Hazardous Substances (cf. Annex 2 of this strategy).

Hexamethyldisiloxane (CAS number: 107-46-0)

Hexamethyldisiloxane is produced in high volume in the European Union for use as a raw material in personal care and other industries and as an intermediate in the production of other silicones. Hexamethyldisiloxane is toxic to aquatic organisms, bioaccumulative and not easily biodegraded, although abiotic degradation is likely.

1,3-cyclopentadiene, 1,2,3,4,5,5-hexachloro (CAS number: 77-47-4)

This substance is produced within the European Union at levels greater than 1 000 tonnes/annum and is principally used as an intermediate in the manufacture of a range of other chemicals. It is bioaccumulative, highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms and does not easily degrade in the aquatic environment. The high tonnage in use and the dangerous properties of this substance give rise to concerns regarding long-term exposures. It has been included in the 4^th Priority List for assessment under the EU Existing Substances Regulation.

Phenol, 4,4`-(1-methylethylidene)bis[2,6-dibromo- (Tetrabromobisphenol A) (CAS number: 79-94-7)

This substance is produced in high volume and is widely used as a flame retardant in resins, plastics, textiles and in thermal paper manufacture. It is therefore subject to wide dispersive use and may have some potential for distribution in the environment. It is both very toxic to aquatic organisms and bioaccumulative. The high tonnage in use and its dangerous properties give rise to concerns regarding long-term exposures. It has been included in the 4^th Priority List for assessment under the EU Existing Substances Regulation.

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (CAS number: 120-82-1)

This substance is used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis, in termite treatment and as a degreasing solvent. It is produced in high volume in the European Union. It has been included in the first Priority List for action under the EU Water Framework Directive and has been assessed under the Existing Substances Regulation of the European Community. Monitoring studies detected this substance in surface waters. It has a high toxicity to aquatic organisms, is bioaccumulative and does not easily degrade in the environment, and thus gives rise to concerns arising from long-term exposures.

1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene (CAS number: 87-61-6)

This substance is used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis, in termite treatment and as a degreasing solvent. It has been included in the first Priority List for action under the EU Water Framework Directive. It has been found in monitoring studies in surface waters. The substance has high toxicity to aquatic organisms, is bioaccumulative and does not easily degrade in the environment, and thus gives rise to concerns arising from long-term exposures.

1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene (CAS number: 108-70-3)

This substance is used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis, in termite treatment and as a degreasing solvent. It has been included in the first Priority List for action under the EU Water Framework Directive. It has been detected in monitoring studies in surface waters. The substance has high toxicity to aquatic organisms, is bioaccumulative and does not easily degrade in the environment, and thus gives rise to concerns arising from long-term exposures.

Benzene 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl- (tert-Butyl Toluene) (CAS number: 98-51-1)

This substance is used in the manufacture of plastics and also as an additive to lubricants. It is produced in the EU in high volume. It is both highly toxic to aquatic organisms and bioaccumulative. The available evidence suggests that this substance does not rapidly degrade in the environment and thus there is the potential for longer-term concerns.

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