OSPAR List of Chemicals of Possible Concern

OSPAR is the mechanism by which 15 European Governments, together with the European Community, cooperate to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. The List of Substances of Possible Concern comprises hazardous substances which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or of equivalent concern. A selection is included in the List of Chemicals for Priority Action.

OSPAR is the mechanism by which fifteen Governments together with the European Community, cooperate to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic.

The OSPAR Hazardous Substances Strategy sets the objective of preventing pollution of the maritime area by continuously reducing discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances. For OSPAR purposes, hazardous substances are defined as substances which are persistent, liable to bioaccumulate and toxic - PBT substances. The OSPAR Commission is implementing this strategy progressively by making every endeavor to move towards the target of the cessation of discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances by the year 2020. The hazardous substances related work is implemented by OSPAR’s Hazardous Substances Committee (HSC).

The OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern was adopted in 2002. It is a dynamic working list and is regularly revised as new information becomes available. Some of the substances on the List have been included on the List of Chemicals for Priority Action.

OSPAR is in the process of reviewing the substances on the List. The aim is to identify those substances which are of concern to the marine environment, and to which therefore the commitments of the Hazardous Substances Strategy should apply, but which are not covered adequately by the EC framework or some other international forum.

A revised List was published during summer 2009.

The List of substances of possible concern is undergoing a major revision and a new List is expected to be published in 2021/22.

Please also check the original source for more recent updates:

OSPAR Hazardous Substances
OSPAR List of Possible Concern