One of the way which the OSPAR Commission works to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic is through measures such as Decisions and Recommendations.Under the Convention, OSPAR Contracting Parties are obliged under OSPAR Convention Contracting Parties must regularly report on the national measures they have taken to implement OSPAR’s Decisions and Recommendations, including those aimed at preventing and reducing marine litter. These implementation reports provide the essential basis for evaluating progress, ensuring accountability, and guiding future collective action to reduce litter to levels that no longer harm marine ecosystems.
Overview table
Measure | Next reporting due |
First reporting: intersessional period 2028/2029 then every 4 years | |
Next round: next on 31 December 2025 and thereafter every 3 years | |
First reporting: intersessional period 2026/2027 | |
First reporting: intersessional period 2029/2030 | |
OSPAR Recommendation 2021/06 on the reduction of plastic pellet loss into the marine environment | Every 6 years, next on 31 January 2031 |
Next round: data to be reported every year according to Agreement 2016/03 Report every 6 years on general implementation as outlined in Appendix 1 of the Recommendation, next on 1 January 2028 |
Further details
Best Practice for reducing marine litter
Measure | Implementation reporting |
OSPAR Recommendation 2025/02 on the application of best practice for reducing marine litter in the OSPAR No: OSPAR Recommendation 2025/02 | Entry into force of OSPAR Recommendation 2025/02: 27 June 2025 Last report: N/A First reporting: intersessional period 2028/2029 Next round: every four years Additional reporting: on an ad hoc and voluntary basis any additional information regarding the implementation of best practice guidance listed in OSPAR Agreement 2025-13. Review of the arrangements of the measure: none |
Reduction of marine litter through the implementation of sustainability training programmes for fishers
Measure | Implementation reporting |
Adopted: 2024, Berlin (Germany) Adopted: 2024, Berlin (Germany) | Entry into force of OSPAR Recommendation 2019/01: 28 June 2019 Entry into force of OSPAR Recommendation 2024/03: 28 June 2024 Last report: Next round: next on 31 December 2025 and thereafter every 3 years Review of the arrangements of the measure: Every 6 years, next in 2026 |
The management of EPS and XPS
Measure | Implementation reporting |
Adopted: 2024, Berlin (Germany) | Entry into force of OSPAR Recommendation 2024/04: 28 June 2024 Last report: N/A First reporting: intersessional period 2026/2027 Next round: none Review of the arrangements of the measure: none |
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Measure | Implementation reporting |
OSPAR Decision 2025/02 to prevent the release of expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and other | Entry into force of OSPAR Decision 2025/02: in accordance with Article 13.2 of the Convention, i.e. two hundred days after its adoption therefor on 13 January 2026. Last report: N/A First reporting: intersessional period 2029/2030 Next round: none Review of the arrangements of the measure: none |
The reduction of plastic pellet loss
Measure | Implementation reporting |
- OSPAR Recommendation 2021/06 on the reduction of plastic pellet loss into the marine environment Adopted: 2021, Cascais (Portugal) | Entry into force of the OSPAR Recommendation 2021/06: 1 October 2021 Initial report: First full report: Overview assessment report of Recommendation 2021/06 on the reduction of plastic pellet loss into the marine environment Next round: Every 6 years, next on 31 January 2031 Review of the arrangements of the measure: none |
Fishing for Litter
Measure | Implementation reporting |
Adopted: 2016, Tenerife (Spain) | Entry into force of OSPAR Recommendation 2016/01: 24 June 2016 Last report: Next round: data to be reported every year according to Agreement 2016/03 Report every 6 years on general implementation as outlined in Appendix 1 of the Recommendation, next on 1 January 2028 Review of the arrangements of the measure: Every 6 years, next in 2028 |
