The German Environment Agency has commissioned a project to study the effects of discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) of ships on the marine environment. Scrubber discharge contains pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are classified as extremely hazardous. Discharge bans - at least regional - are recommended.
Accidents at refineries pose a particular risk for water bodies and groundwater. Hence, efficient safety management is essential.
This checklist intends to help competent authorities, as key actors in transboundary contingency planning, put in place effective and efficient contingency planning. As such, the checklist contains guiding principles for competent authorities regarding emergency and response planning and the provision of mutual assistance.
Substances and mixtures can pose a hazard to water bodies. To protect the water bodies from detrimental changes to their characteristics it is required that substances and mixtures that are handled or stored in facilities in Germany are classified for their water-hazardous properties.
