Through the OEP's marine programme, contaminants were identified as a key pressure to achieving Good Environmental Status in UK waters.
The project provides oversight to identify existing and emerging marine contaminants in UK waters and assesses how effectively UK frameworks manage them.
The project was designed to gather, organise, and critically evaluate existing evidence on the types, sources, pathways, and impacts of marine contaminants. It addresses GES descriptors: D5 Eutrophication, D8 Contaminants in water and sediment, D9 Contaminants in seafood, and D10 Marine litter, while also identifying emerging contaminants.
Despite the presence of several frameworks governing their release and management, persistent challenges remain, as indicated by current evidence.
This project examines the regulatory and policy frameworks related to contaminants in UK marine waters, with reference to pertinent regulations and policy mechanisms.
Disclaimer
ICF and HMC were commissioned by the Office for Environmental Protection to develop a Review of the Monitoring and Regulatory Landscape for Contaminants in UK Marine Waters. The views provided in this report are those of ICF and HMC, and do not represent the opinion or position of the OEP.