List of Priority Substances

Norway's national target is to eliminate or substantially reduce releases of priority substances.The priority list includes about 30 named substances and groups of substances. In addition, the national target applies to other substances that meet specified criteria. The first version of the priority list was published in 1997, in a white paper on an environmental policy for sustainable development.

Criteria for priority substances

A set of criteria has been drawn up for identifying priority substances. These include substances that are persistent and bioaccumulative, that have serious long-term health effects, or that show high ecotoxicity.

Steps to reduce releases

Releases of many priority substances have been substantially reduced since 1995. Norway has taken action at national level to reduce or eliminate releases of nearly all priority substances. There are also international agreements to phase out or restrict the use of many of these chemicals.

Nevertheless, some priority substances are still in use for certain purposes, and not all sources of pollution have been phased out. In addition, pollutants and waste released in the past can still create problems today. The environmental authorities are therefore continuing efforts to reduce releases of these substances even further.

Priority Substances
Change in emissions 1995-2008*	Known remaining sources/areas of use	Norwegian legislation and intenational agreements
Arsenic
27% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Emissions from CCA-impregnated wood	Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-7 CCA-impregnated wood: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §3-6 Regulations relating to hazardous waste
Bisphenol A
Emission levels unknown 1995-2008	Producer products. Key monomer in production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.	Regulations relating to the classification, labelling etc. of dangerous chemicals (in Norwegian)
Brominated flame retardants
Increase in emissions 1995-2008	Mainly found in electrical and electronic equipment, certain types of building materials, insulating materials	Certain compounds (penta-and octa-BDE): Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-20 Certain compounds (pentaBDE, octaBDE, decaBDE, HBCDD og TBBPA): Regulations relating to hazardous waste OSPAR requires use to be phased out
DEHP
58% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Plasticiser in PVC plastics, rubber, paints and varnishes	Phthalates in toys: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §3-12 Regulations relating to the classification, labelling etc. of dangerous chemicals (in Norwegian) Regulations relating to cosmetics Reductions required by OSPAR
Certain surfactants (DTDMAC, DSDMAC, DHTDMAC)
86% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	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
1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC)
87% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Small emissions from production of plastic	Discharge permits ECE Protocol (POPs) Rotterdam Convention VOC Protocol
Dioxins and furans
68% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Wood-burning, emissions from ships and boats, emissions from certain branches of industry and waste incineration	Discharge permits Incineration of waste: Regulations relating to waste ECE Protocol (POPs) Stockholm Convention Reductions required by OSPAR
Cadmium
70% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Emissions from certain branches of industry, offeranoder, municipal waste water, wood-burning	Colouring agents: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-11 Stabilizer in products: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-12 Surface treatment of metals: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-13 Rechargeable batteries (collection): Regulations relating to environmentally hazardous batteries Regulated in sewage sludge (limit values) Regulated in photochemicals (limit value): Regulations relating to pollution control (Pollution Regulations) Discharge permits ECE Protocol (heavy metals) Reductions required by OSPAR
Chlorinated alkyl benzenes (CABs)
79% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Low levels of emissions from nickel refineries (formed during the step after liquid-liquid extraction)	Discharge permits
Chromium
59% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Emissions from impregnated wood, sandblasting, pigments in paints and varnishes, municipal waste water and sewage sludge, ferro chromium production	CCA-impregnated wood: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §3-6 Heavy metals in packaging i.e: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §3-11 Regulations relating to hazardous waste Regulated in sewage sludge (limit values) Regulated in photochemicals (limit value): Regulations relating to pollution control (Pollution Regulations)
Hexachlorobenzene
91% reduction in emissions 1995-2008		Prohibition: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) Stockholm Convention ECE Protocol (POPs) Rotterdam Convention OSPAR
Lead
71% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Ammunition, fishing tackle, sandblasting, metallurgical and mineral industry, municipal waste water and sewage sludge	Regulated in petrol (limit values) Tax on leaded petrol Lead shot, certain compounds in paints (prohibition), packaging, vehicles: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-5 Lead accumulators: Regulations relating to environmentally hazardous batteries Regulated in sewage sludge (limit values) Regulations concerning local air quality Discharge permits ECE Protocol (heavy metals) Reductions required by OSPAR
Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins
18% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Plasticisers and flame retardants in plastics
Mercury
64% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Emissions from metallurgical industry, amalgam discharges from dentists, municipal waste water and sewage sludge, seepage water from landfills, crematoria, fluorescent tubes	Regulated in batteries (limit values): Regulations relating to environmentally hazardous batteries Anti-fouling preparations (prohibition), thermometers(prohibition), packaging (limit value): Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-6 Amalgam (collection) and discharges from dentists (purification): Regulations relating to pollution control (Pollution Regulations) Regulations concerning discharges from crematorium Regulations relating to pollution control (Pollution Regulations chapter 10) Regulated in sewage sludge (limit values) Discharge permits ECE Protocol (heavy metals) Rotterdam Convention Reductions required by OSPAR
Musk xylenes
77% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Used as fragrances in cleaning products and toiletries	Regulations relating to the classification, labelling etc. of dangerous chemicals (in Norwegian) Regulations concerning cosmetics OSPAR requires use to be phased out
Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates
93% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Detergents and car care products	Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-18 OSPAR requires use to be phased out by 1995 and 2000, depending on the area of use.
Octylphenol and its ethoxylates
93% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Detergents and car care products	Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-18 OSPAR requires use to be phased out
PAHs
42% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Emissions from certain branches of industry, wood-burning, impregnated wood, combustion of oil products	Certain compounds (prohibition): Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-14 Wood impregnated with creosote: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §3-7 Standards for design of new wood-burning stoves Discharge permits ECE Protocol (POPs)Reductions required by OSPAR
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
100% reduction in emissions 1995-2008		Prohibiton: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-10 OSPAR requires use to be phased out Rotterdam Convention
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
69% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Waste problems. Concrete admixture, compounds, adhesives for insulating windows, small capacitors in fluorescent tubes. Small amounts in sealing electrical bushings, paint, other small capacitors	Prohibition Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-2 Restricted product groups: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §3-1 Regulations relating to hazardous waste OSPAR requires use to be phased out ECE Protocol (POPs) Stockholm Convention Rotterdam Convention
PFOA
Emission levels unknown 1995-2008	Consumer products such as carpets, textiles (used in the fabrication of water- and stain-resistant products), paint and glue
PFOS
100% reduction in emissions 1995-2008		COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 757/2010 (PDF) Reductions required by OSPAR
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins
100% reduction in emissions 1995-2008		Prohibition: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-17 OSPAR requires use to be phased out by 1995 and 2000, depending on the area of use.
Siloxane-D5
Emission levels unknown 1995-2008	Consumer products such as cosmetics, products for personal hygiene, cleaning products, car wax
Tetrachloroethene (PER)
93% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Dry-cleaning of textiles	Tax VOC Protocol
Tributyl tin compounds
100% reduction in emissions 1995-2008		Prohibition: Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) §2-8 Reductions required by OSPAR International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted convention requiring prohibition
Trichlorobenzene
		Discharge permits Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment (Product regulations) (in Norwegian) Reductions required by OSPAR
Trichloroethene (TRI)
95% reduction in emissions 1995-2008	Degreasing agent	Tax Regulations concerning reimbursement of taxes on trichloroethene (TRI) Refund of taxes: Regulations relating to the recycling of waste Regulations relating to the classification, labelling etc. of dangerous chemicals (in Norwegian) VOC Protocol
Triclosan
Emission levels unknown 1995-2008	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 1995-2008	Oil additive	Reductions required by OSPAR

Miljøverndepartementet: Prop. 1 S (2010-2011) 10 Resultatområde 3 Vassforureining, miljøgifter og avfall

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List of Priority Substances

Criteria for priority substances

Steps to reduce releases

Priority Substances

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