36
Toxic Chemicals
According to the OECD Council Recommendation [C(96)41/FINAL], as amended
by [C(2003)87], the core elements of a PRTR system are
1. A listing of chemicals, groups of chemicals, and if appropriate, other relevant categories, all of which are pollutants when released or transferred
2. Integrated multimedia reporting of releases and transfers (air, water, and
land)
3. Reporting of data by source if the reporting sources are defined
4. Reporting on a periodic basis, preferably annually
5. Making data available to the public
The following principles are considered when establishing a PRTR program:
1. PRTR systems should provide data to support the identification and assessment of possible risks to humans and the environment.
2. The PRTR data should be used to promote prevention of pollution at the
source and help national governments evaluate the progress of environmental policies and goals.
3. Government and interested parties should cooperate to develop a set of goals
and objectives for the system and estimate potential benefits and costs.
4. PRTR systems should include coverage of an appropriate number of substances.
5. Public and private sectors should be included.
6. PRTR systems should be integrated to the degree practicable with existing
information sources, such as licenses or operating permits.
7. Both voluntary and mandatory reporting mechanisms should be considered
to meet the goals and objectives of the system.
8. The comprehensiveness of a PRTR in helping to meet environmental policy
goals should be taken into account (e.g., fugitive/diffuse sources).
9. The results should be made accessible to all affected and interested parties
on a timely and regular basis.
10. The program should allow for midcourse evaluation and flexibility to alter
the program in response to changing needs.
11. The system should allow for verification of inputs and outputs and be capable of identifying the geographical distribution of releases and transfers.
12. The program should allow, as far as possible, comparison and cooperation
with other national PRTR systems and possible harmonization with similar
international databases.
13. A compliance mechanism should be agreed upon by affected and interested
parties to best meet the needs of the goals and objectives.
14. The process of establishing the PRTR system and its implementation and
operation should be transparent and objective.
The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers has been signed by at
least 38 member states and the European Community.
Countries having PRTR programs include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada,
Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Toxic Chemicals
According to the OECD Council Recommendation [C(96)41/FINAL], as amended
by [C(2003)87], the core elements of a PRTR system are
1. A listing of chemicals, groups of chemicals, and if appropriate, other relevant categories, all of which are pollutants when released or transferred
2. Integrated multimedia reporting of releases and transfers (air, water, and
land)
3. Reporting of data by source if the reporting sources are defined
4. Reporting on a periodic basis, preferably annually
5. Making data available to the public
The following principles are considered when establishing a PRTR program:
1. PRTR systems should provide data to support the identification and assessment of possible risks to humans and the environment.
2. The PRTR data should be used to promote prevention of pollution at the
source and help national governments evaluate the progress of environmental policies and goals.
3. Government and interested parties should cooperate to develop a set of goals
and objectives for the system and estimate potential benefits and costs.
4. PRTR systems should include coverage of an appropriate number of substances.
5. Public and private sectors should be included.
6. PRTR systems should be integrated to the degree practicable with existing
information sources, such as licenses or operating permits.
7. Both voluntary and mandatory reporting mechanisms should be considered
to meet the goals and objectives of the system.
8. The comprehensiveness of a PRTR in helping to meet environmental policy
goals should be taken into account (e.g., fugitive/diffuse sources).
9. The results should be made accessible to all affected and interested parties
on a timely and regular basis.
10. The program should allow for midcourse evaluation and flexibility to alter
the program in response to changing needs.
11. The system should allow for verification of inputs and outputs and be capable of identifying the geographical distribution of releases and transfers.
12. The program should allow, as far as possible, comparison and cooperation
with other national PRTR systems and possible harmonization with similar
international databases.
13. A compliance mechanism should be agreed upon by affected and interested
parties to best meet the needs of the goals and objectives.
14. The process of establishing the PRTR system and its implementation and
operation should be transparent and objective.
The Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers has been signed by at
least 38 member states and the European Community.
Countries having PRTR programs include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada,
Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,