Procedures for the approval of oil spill treatment products

The final report of the Government Review on the Testing, Approval and Use of Oil Dispersants (MAFF, 1996) made a number of recommendations affecting approval of oil dispersants. In addition toxicity testing protocols have recently been developed to assess new types of oil treatment products such as sorbents and bioremediation agents. This document reflects these changes. It supersedes Fisheries Research Technical Report No. 39 - New procedures for the toxicity testing of oil slick dispersants (Blackman et al., 1977). Until April 1996 all toxicity assessments were carried out by the MAFF, Directorate of Fisheries Research (DFR). However, from that date appropriate toxicity testing can be carried out by suitably accredited or recognised laboratories, as an alternative to DFR, and results submitted to MAFF for consideration. This document is designed as an aid to manufacturers and potential testing laboratories. Under the scheme there is a need to assess and approve all types of oil treatment products. At present four different groups are recognised; dispersants, sorbents, bioremediation agents and miscellaneous. (author)