Chemicals for Priority Action

The List of Chemicals for Priority Action in its current form was adopted in 2002. OSPAR focuses on the substances on Part A of the List and has prepared a background document on each.

The Background Documents assess the situation for the substance and conclude on what actions OSPAR should take to move towards the cessation target. Each of these chemicals also has a monitoring strategy detailing monitoring and progression towards the cessation target.

In 2004, OSPAR decided not to systematically select and prioritise substances, because the evaluation of chemicals and their properties was sufficiently covered by EU legislation.

OSPAR is undertaking a full review of the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action, to filter and rationalise it in light of the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals (REACH) Regulation and on the prioritisation of substances under the Water Framework Directive.

Download here the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action with annotations. Chemicals for priority action listed in Part A are also shown below.

CAS NoGroup of substances/substanceFunctionLast revision of Background Document (Lead Country)Review Statement
cadmiumMetallic compound2004 (Spain)2010
lead and organic lead compoundsMetal/organometallic compounds2009 (Norway)
mercury and organic mercury compoundsMetal/organometallic compounds2004 (UK)2009
organic tin compoundsOrganometallic compounds2011 (The Netherlands)
51000-52-3neodecanoic acid, ethenyl esterOrganic Ester2011 (UK)
1763-23-1perfluorooctanyl sulphonic acid and its salts (PFOS)Organohalogens2006 (UK)2011
79-94-7tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A)Organohalogens2011 (UK)
87-61-61,2,3-trichlorobenzeneOrganohalogens2005 (Belgium & Luxembourg)2010
120-82-11,2,4-trichlorobenzeneOrganohalogens2005 (Belgium & Luxembourg)2010
108-70-31,3,5-trichlorobenzeneOrganohalogens2005 (Belgium & Luxembourg)2010
brominated flame retardantsOrganohalogens2009 (Sweden)
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)Organohalogens2004 (Germany & Belgium) 2008
polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs)Organohalogens2007 (Denmark & Belgium)
polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)Organohalogens2007 (Denmark & Belgium)
short chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCP)Organohalogens2009 (Sweden)
793-24-84- (dimethylbutylamino) diphenylamin (6PPD)Organic nitrogen compound2006 (Germany)
115-32-2DicofolPesticides/biocides/ organohalogens2004 (Finland) 2008
115-29-7endosulfanPesticides/biocides/ organohalogens2004 (Germany) 2008
hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCH)

Pesticides/biocides/ organohalogens

2004 (Germany) 2008
72-43-5methoxychlor

Pesticides/biocides/ organohalogens

2004 (Finland) 2008
pentachlorophenol (PCP)

Pesticides/biocides/ organohalogens

2004 (Finland)
1582-09-8trifluralin

Pesticides/biocides/ organohalogens

2005 (Germany)2012
23593-75-1clotrimazolePharmaceutical2013 (France)
732-26-32,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenolPhenol2006 (UK)2009
nonylphenol/ethoxylates (NP/NPEs) and related substancesPhenol2009 (Sweden)
140-66-9octylphenolPhenol2006 (UK)2009
certain phthalates: dibutylphthalate (DBP), diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP)Phthalate esters2006 (Denmark & France)
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)Polycyclic aromatic compounds2009 (Norway)
musk xyleneSynthetic musk2004 (Switzerland)