List of Priority Substances

Published 15.01.2018 by the Norwegian Environment Agency

Norway is aiming to reduce emissions of substances that pose a serious threat to health or the environment continuously, with a view to eliminating them completely by 2020. The priority list includes more than 30 named substances and groups of substances. 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 1995-2015	Norwegian legislation and international agreements
Arsenic
34% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2002 Restrictions concerning CCA-impregnated wood, fouling by micro-organisms, plants or animals, treatment of industrial waters: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 19 , Listed on the Candidate List and REACH Annex XIV Regulation of arsenic in toys (Regulation on safety of toys) Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning local air quality: Pollution Regulations. Local air quality Regulations concerning discharges and emissions of arsenic: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulation Chapter 2 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Benzotriazole UV-stabilizers (UV-320, UV-327, UV-328 and UV-350)
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2017 Listed on the REACH Candidate List
Bisphenol A
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2007 Discharge requirements for domestic waste water from permanent and non-permanent residences. Pollution regulation. Chapter 11 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions of bisphenol A: Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Brominated flame retardants
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 (penta-, octa- and deka-BDE, HBCD and TBBPA) Certain compounds (penta-, octa- and deka-BDE) are prohibited: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 45 and Product Regulations. Section 2-7, and 4-1 and 4-2 Ban on brominated flame retardants: Product Regulations. Section 2a Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Action Plan against brominated flame retardants (PDF in Norwegian) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: POPs Convention, OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
50% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2002 Phthalates in toys and childcare articles: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 51. Listed on the Candidate List and REACH Annex XIV Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions of DEHP: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Certain surfactants (DTDMAC, DSDMAC, DHTDMAC)
96% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Regulations relating to restrictions on the use of chemicals and other products hazardous to health and the environment: Product Regulations. Section 2-14 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC)
92% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions of EDC: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A REACH: Listed on the Candidate List and REACH Annex XIV
Dioxins and furans
75% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list in 1997 Prohibition: Product Regulations. Section 4-1 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Approval of closed fireplaces: Regulations on technical requirements for building works (PDF) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on POPs, POPs Convention, OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Cadmium
77% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Regulations relating to stabilizers and colouring agents in plastic materials, paint, vehicles, packaging, EE-products: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 23 and Product regulations. Section 2-15 and Section 2a Cadmium, cadmium oxide, cadmium sulfide and cadmium chloride are listed on REACH Candidate List Regulations relating to hazardous chemicals in toys (Regulation on safety of toys) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulations. Chapter 2 Limit values for heavy metals in fertilisers and sewage sludge for soil improvement Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on Heavy Metals, OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Chlorinated alkyl benzenes (CABs)
Almost 100% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Chromium
46% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Regultaions relating to chromium in impregnated wood, vehicles, packaging, EE-products and cement: Product regulations. Section 2-11, 2-15, 2-19 and Section 2a Regulations relating to to chromium VI in cement and leather: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 47 Regulations relating to hazardous chemicals in toys (Regulation on safety of toys) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulations. Chapter 2 Limit values for heavy metals in fertilisers and sewage sludge for soil improvement
Dodecylphenol
Increase in emissions	Listed on the priority list 2007
Hexachlorobenzene
90% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Prohibition: Product Regulations. Section 4-1 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Approval of closed fireplaces: Regulations on technical requirements for building works (PDF) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on POPs, POPs Convention, Rotterdam Convention,OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern
Lead
90% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Ban on use of lead shots at shooting ranges: Product regulations §2-2 Regulation concerning use of lead shots: Norwegian hunting regulations §17 Strict regulations on packaging, vehicles, petrol and EE-products: Product Regulations. Sections 2-2, 2-15, 2-19, 2-20 and Section 2a Lead compounds listed on REACH Candidate List and Annex XIV Restrictions on lead and lead compounds in paint: REACH Annex XVII. Entries 16 and 17 Regulations relating to hazardous chemicals in toys (Regulation on safety of toys) Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Regulations concerning local air quality: Pollution Regulations Chapter 7. Local air quality Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulations. Chapter 2 Limit values for heavy metals in fertilisers and sewage sludge for soil improvement Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A Voluntary agreement to phase out leaded ammunition on military ranges International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on Heavy Metals, OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins
29% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2002 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act
Mercury
74% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 General prohibition on the use of mercury in products, with a few exceptions: REACH Annex XVII. Entries 18 and 18a and Product Regulations. Sections 2-3, 2-15, 2-17, 2-19 and Section 2a Prohibition against phenylmercury compounds: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 62 Regulations relating to hazardous chemicals in toys (Regulation on safety of toys) Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning local air quality: Pollution Regulations. Local air quality Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulations. Chapter 2 Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Limit values for heavy metals in fertilisers and sewage sludge for soil improvement Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on Heavy Metals, Rotterdam Convention,OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action, Minamata Convention
Musk xylenes
Almost 100% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Regulations concerning cosmetics REACH: Listed on the Candidate List and Annex XIV Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates
90% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Prohibition on the use of nonylphenol and its ethoxylates in a number of pruducts: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 46 RECH: Listed on the Candidate List Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Octylphenol and its ethoxylates (OP, OPE)
90% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Prohibition on the use of octylphenol and its ethoxylates in a number of pruducts: Product Regulations. Section 2-5 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act International cooperation: OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Emissions relatively stable in recent years	Listed on the priority list in 1997 Regulations concerning wood impregnated with creosote and car tyres: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 31 and Entry 50 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning local air quality: Pollution Regulations Chapter 7. Local air quality Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulations. Chapter 2 Standards for new wood-burning stoves: Regulations on technical requirements for building works (PDF) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on POPs, OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
More than 99% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Prohibition: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 22 and Product Regulations. Section 2-10 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on POPs, Rotterdam Convention,OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
More than 90% reduction in emissions 1980-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Prohibited in products. Requirements for the phasing out of PCB-containing lighting fixtures and other PCB-containing electrical products: Product Regulations. Section 2-1 and 4-10 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulations. Chapter 2 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on POPs, POPs Convention, Rotterdam Convention,OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
PFCA (C9-C14) Long-chain perfluorinated acids
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2014 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A REACH: C9, its sodium and ammoniumsalts, and C11-C14 are listed on the Candidate List
PFHxS and PFHxS-related substances
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2017 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A Assessed for further regulation in the EU
PFOA
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2007 • Prohibited in consumer products: Product Regulations. Section 2-32 • Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A • REACH: Listed on the Candidate List
PFOS and PFOS-related substances
0 tonnes emissions of PFOS in 2015. Emissions from contaminated soil and sediments are not included.	Listed on the priority list 2002 Prohibited in several products: Product Regulations Section 2-9 and Chapter 4 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on POPs, POPs Convention, OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins
67% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Prohibition: Product Regulations Chapter 4 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) International cooperation: ECE-Protocol on POPs, POPs Convention, OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Siloxane-D4
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2012 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Siloxane-D5
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2006 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Siloxane-D6
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2018 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP)
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2012 REACH Annex XIV – subject to approval REACH Annex XVII. Entry 30 – prohibited in substances and mixtures to consumers with a concentration limit of 0.3% Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Tetrachloroethene (PER)
99% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Tax on wagering Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Organic tin compounds (TBT, TPT, DBT and DOT)
TBT and TPT: 100% reduction in emissions 1995-2015 DBT and DOT: Emission levels unknown	TBT and TPT: Listed on the priority list 1997 DBT and DOT: Listed on the priority list 2017 Prohibition: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 20 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Cleaning of contaminated soil in connection with building and excavation work: Pollution Regulations. Chapter 2 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: Rotterdam Convention,OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Trichlorobenzene (TCB)
81% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Prohibition: REACH Annex XVII. Entry 49 Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Requirements to reduce discharges of hazardous chemicals to water (the Water Regulation) Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulations. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action
Trichloroethene (TRI)
Almost 100% reduction in emissions 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 1997 Tax on wagering REACH: Listed on the Candidate List and Annex XIV Regulations relating to waste: hazardous waste, incineration of waste and landfilling of waste Regulations concerning discharges and emissions: Pollution Regulation. Permits pursuant to the Pollution Control Act Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
Triclosan
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2008 Regulations concerning cometics Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A
2,4,6 Tri-tert-buthylphenol
Emission levels unknown 1995-2015	Listed on the priority list 2007 Substitution: Product Control Act. Section 3A International cooperation: OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action

Criteria for priority substances

Steps to reduce releases

Priority Substances

Arsenic

Benzotriazole UV-stabilizers

(UV-320, UV-327, UV-328 and UV-350)

Bisphenol A

Brominated flame retardants

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Certain surfactants (DTDMAC, DSDMAC, DHTDMAC)

1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC)

Dioxins and furans

Cadmium

Chlorinated alkyl benzenes (CABs)

Chromium

Dodecylphenol

Hexachlorobenzene

Lead

Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins

Mercury

Musk xylenes

Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates

Octylphenol and its ethoxylates (OP, OPE)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Pentachlorophenol (PCP)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

PFCA (C9-C14)Long-chain perfluorinated acids

PFHxS and PFHxS-related substances

PFOA

PFOS and PFOS-related substances

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins

Siloxane-D4

Siloxane-D5

Siloxane-D6

Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP)

Tetrachloroethene (PER)

Organic tin compounds (TBT, TPT, DBT and DOT)

Trichlorobenzene (TCB)

Trichloroethene (TRI)

Triclosan

2,4,6 Tri-tert-buthylphenol

PFCA (C9-C14)
Long-chain perfluorinated acids