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Norway: Stricter requirements on hazardous substances
The Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency (Klif) wants to incorporate a list of the most hazardous substances into the Pollution Regulation. This will ensure that all companies are bound by the same strict requirements for emissions of the most hazardous substances.
Criteria and objectives
The Climate and Pollution Agency has drafted a set of criteria for assessing which hazardouus substances should be given priority. This pertains for example to substances that are little degradable, that accumulate in living organisms, and that have serious, long-term effects on the public’s health or are extremely toxic for the environment.
The list was first presented in the Report to the Storting No. 58 (1996–97): Miljøvernpolitikk for en bærekraftig utvikling [Environmental policy for a sustainable future]. As a result of new information, further substances have subsequently been added to the list. In the coming years as well, new information might result in further substances being added to the list, due to these substances having properties that are seriously harmful to health and the environment.
"The proposal aims to help achieve the goal of reduced emissions of the most hazardous substances – the so-called generational goal," says Marit Kjeldby, Department Director at the Climate and Pollution Agency.
A clarification of the requirements
The proposed regulation will stipulate that no companies can emit such substances without express permission to do so. "This will clarify what the most hazordous substances are, and it will ensure that the requirements regarding toxic substances are identical for all enterprises," says Marit Kjeldby. The inclusion of new substances on the list, when warranted by new information, can thereby be enacted by amending the Pollution Regulation, which applies directly to all parties with a permit. "Today this can only be achieved by changing each individual permit. The proposal will therefore result in significant administrative savings," Marit Kjeldby explains. The proposal is not anticipated to have major economic consequences for the concerned companies.
Priority hazardous substances (Metals and metal compounds):
Arsenic and arsenic compounds (As and As compounds)Lead and lead compounds (Pb and Pb compounds)
Cadmium and cadmium compounds (Cd and Cd compounds)
Chrome and chrome compounds (Cr and Cr compounds)
Mercury and mercury compounds (Hg and Hg compounds)
Questions can be directed to the Climate and Pollution Agency:
Gunhild Dalaker Tuseth, Head of Section at the Section for Legal Affairs
Tel: 22 57 34 33, e-mail: gunhild.dalaker-tuseth@klif.no
Marit Kjeldby, Department Director at the Department for Chemicals and Waste Management
Tel: 22 57 35 00, e-mailt: marit.kjeldby@klif.no
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