New regulations entered into force on 1. January 2002. The regulations state that dispersants should be used when their use will result in the least environmental damage. 

Use of dispersants must be documented in contingency plan
The use of dispersants - which in many ways can be compared to dishwashing liquids, but which are adjusted to different types of oil – must be documented in a contingency plan. Specific requirements for testing of acute toxicity and efficiency must be met.

Net Environmental Benefit
The dispersants will only be used when the response in overall terms will benefit the environment. They will not be used on spawning grounds. The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, SFT, will carefully assess whether they can be used in areas with poor water exchange and in shallow, coastal waters.

Acute oil spills can cause great damage on the marine environment. The potential for damage will largely depend on the natural resources that are exposed to the oil spill, the type of oil and the volume of oil spilled. The potential for damage does not always coincide with the size of the spill.

Response against oil pollution
Today mechanical containment and recovery and dispersants are used to prevent and to respond to oil pollution. Monitoring of oil pollution is also regarded as a means of response.

Regulating the use of dispersants
The composition and use of dispersants are described in the new regulations. The purpose is to combat acute pollution efficiently. The regulations allow the use of dispersants when this is the best alternative for the environment.

Private enterprises or municipalities that wish to use dispersants, must state in their contingency plans the oil spill situations in which they would use this response. SFT will then consider whether the criteria for use are met.

Must apply to use dispersants
In situations where dispersants would be beneficial, but where the user has not preplanned such a response, an application for authorization must be made to SFT. SFT has a 24 hour response centre to handle incidents of acute pollution, and will consider the application immediately.

More information:

• Morten Hauge, Department for Control and Emergency Response,
  telephone + 47 33 03 48 13, e-mail: morten.hauge@sft.no

• Ann Mari Vik, Department for Control and Emergency Response,
  telephone + 47 33 03 48 00, telefax: + 47 33 03 49 49,
  e-mail:  ann-mari.vik@sft.no