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MARINE RISK ASSESSMENT
4 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT – MARINE
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The extension of the existing risk assessment approaches to cover risks to the marine
environment is a logical and important development in the establishment of a comprehensive
risk assessment methodology. Both the Commission report on the operation of several pieces of
legislation in the area of chemicals (COMMISSION, SEC (1998) 1986 final) as well as the
OSPAR Hazardous Substances Strategy (OSPAR, 1998) recognise the need to extend the risk
assessment framework and methodology as developed under Directive 93/67 and Regulation EC
1488/94. This section, therefore, seeks to lay down the principles and concepts that should drive
an assessment of the impacts on the marine environment. In doing so, it also identifies the areas
where a similar approach can be adopted to that described elsewhere within the TGD, as well as
elaborating different methodologies where they are considered more appropriate.
The assessment approaches detailed within the TGD have been developed principally to address
risks, which might arise from emissions to the terrestrial and/or limnic aquatic environment.
These schemes can and must nevertheless act as a starting point for the development of a
comprehensive approach to risk assessment of substances in the marine environment, although
due recognition is given to the many differences both in technical detail and general approaches
which may be necessary. It is not the intention of this section, therefore, to repeat technical
descriptions or equations described elsewhere where the basic methodology for marine
assessment do not differ significantly to that applied to the freshwater environment. Such
technical detail will be appropriately referenced to ensure that clarity is maintained. Rather, the
section will focus on new approaches, which are considered necessary to cover the unique
features of the marine environment.
While the approaches to the assessment must conform to EC requirements for assessment under
Directive 67/548, Regulation 793/93 and Directive 98/8, they must also recognise the objectives
established by OSPAR policy. The approaches will be guided and implemented, therefore, in
accordance with the EU policy under the above legislation as well as taking into account the
OSPAR Strategy on Hazardous Substances. With respect to the OSPAR strategy the assessment
should specifically contribute to the identification of the sources of release for a chemical and
their relative significance in order to facilitate the eventual preparation of measures that
substantially, effectively and proportionately reduce the exposure.
The basic principles of the assessment have been derived in accordance with the experience
gathered by the procedure for chemicals in the frame of the original TGD (EC, 1996). In
attempting to extend current risk assessment methodology to cover the marine environment, it is
necessary to closely investigate the common concepts and protection goals of the available
methods. Where common protection goals were identified, an examination of the
appropriateness of the current methodologies to achieve them has been carried out.
Modifications have been made where necessary to enhance relevance to the marine environment.
Where environmental compartments were not adequately covered by the existing methodologies,
new approaches have been elaborated based on a sound scientific understanding of the problems
and taking account, where appropriate, of the precautionary principle.
The approaches of the original TGD for the inland environment and that required for assessment
of the marine environment share a number of common principles and objectives. Each must
attempt to address the concern for the potential impact of individual substances on the
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