List of Priority Substances

Norwegian Print

The priority list was first published in a white paper in 1997 Report to the Storting No. 58 (1996-97) Environmental Policy for a Sustainable Development. Norway’s national targets are to eliminate or substantially reduce emissions of the substances on the list by 2000, 2005 or 2010. The priority list includes about 30 substances and groups of substances.

A set of criteria has been developed

On the basis of a more recent white paper (Report No. 25 (2002-2003) on the Government’s environmental policy and the state of the environment in Norway), a set of criteria was drawn up defining the types of substances that are to be given priority in addition to the substances named in the list. These include substances that exhibit low biodegradability, that bioaccumulate and that have a serious long-term impact on health, or are highly toxic for the environment. Emissions of such substances are also to be substantially reduced by 2010.

Steps to reduce emissions

Norway has taken steps to reduce or eliminate emissions of the priority substances. As a result emissions of several substances have been considerably reduced the past decade. There are also international agreements to phase out or restrict the use of many of these substances. Nevertheless, some of the priority substances are still in use for certain purposes, and some sources of emissions have not yet been phased out. In addition, contamination and waste from earlier activities can still create pollution problems today. Further measures will therefore be implemented to reduce or phase out emissions of these substances.

The tables below list the priority substances, indicate known important remaining sources of emissions/areas of use and list the legislation that currently applies to them.

Priority substances whose emissions are to be substantially reduced by 2000 and if possible eliminated by 2005
Change in emissions 1995-2005* Known important remaining sources/areas of use Norwegian legislation and intenational agreements

 

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins

100% reduction in emissions 1995-2005  

 

Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates

89% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Detergents and car care products

 

Octylphenol and its ethoxylates

89% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Detergents and car care products

 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

60% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Waste problems. Concrete admixture, compounds, adhesives for insulating windows, small capacitors in fluorescent tubes. Small amounts in sealing electrical bushings, paint, other small capacitors

 

Pentachlorophenol (PCP)

100% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

     

 

Certain surfactants (DTDMAC, DSDMAC, DHTDMAC) 

83% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

Constituents of car-care products
  • Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) 
  • OSPAR requires use to be phased out
Priority substances whose emissions are to be substantially reduced, at the latest by 2010
Reductions 1995-2005 Known important remaining sources/areas of use Norwegian legislation and intenational agreements

 

Arsenic

18% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emissions from CCA-impregnated wood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Bisphenol A

Emission levels unknown 1995-2005 Producer products. Key monomer in production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.

 

Brominated flame retardants

329 % increase in emissions 1995-2005 Mainly found in electrical and electronic equipment, certain types of building materials, insulating materials

 

DEHP

    

96% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plasticiser in PVC plastics, rubber, paints and varnishes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC)

93% reduction in emissions 1995-2005 Small emissions from production of plastic

 

Dioxins and furans

64% reduction in emissions 1995-2005 Wood-burning, emissions from ships and boats, emissions from certain branches of industry and waste incineration

 

Cadmium

71% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Emissions from certain branches of industry, offeranoder, municipal waste water, wood-burning

 

Chlorinated alkyl benzenes (CABs)

64% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Low levels of emissions from nickel refineries (formed during the step after liquid-liquid extraction)
  • Discharge permits

 

Copper

36% increase in emissions 1995-2005

 Impregnated fish farming nets, anti-fouling preparations, impregnation of wood, emissions from closed down mines, municipal waste water and sewage sludge

 

Chromium

38% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Emissions from impregnated wood, sandblasting, pigments in paints and varnishes,  municipal waste water and sewage sludge, ferro chromium production

 

Hexachlorobenzene

91% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

60% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ammunition, fishing tackle, sandblasting, metallurgical and mineral industry, municipal waste water and sewage sludge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins

79% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 

Plasticisers and flame retardants in plastics

 

  

 

Mercury

60% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

Emissions from metallurgical industry, amalgam discharges from dentists,  municipal waste water and sewage sludge, seepage water from landfills, crematoria, fluorescent tubes

 

Musk xylenes

60% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

Used as fragrances in cleaning products and toiletries

 

PAHs

5% increase in emissions 1995-2005

 Emissions from certain branches of industry, wood-burning, impregnated wood, combustion of oil products

 

PFOA

    
Emission levels unknown 1995-2005 Consumer products such as carpets, textiles (used in the fabrication of water- and stain-resistant products), paint and glue  

 

PFOS

   

Emission levels unknown 1995-2005

 

 

Fire fighting foam

 

 

 
  • Reductions required by OSPAR

 

Siloxane-D5

Emission levels unknown 1995-2005 Consumer products such as cosmetics, products for personal hygiene, cleaning products, car wax    

 

Tetrachloroethene (PER)

91% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Dry-cleaning of textiles

 

Tributyl tin compounds

100% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

   

 

Trichlorobenzene

70% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

    

 

Trichloroethene (TRI)

92% reduction in emissions 1995-2005

 Degreasing agent

 

Triclosan

Emission levels unknown 1995-2005

Consumer products such as toiletries and cleaning products, kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags

  

 

2,4,6 Tri-tert-buthylphenol

Emission levels unknown 1995-2005   Oil additive
  • Reductions required by OSPAR

Published by Climate and Pollution Agency
Date 07.03.2008