Ecotoxicology

Aquatic ecotoxicity data are required for offshore chemical products to help assess the potential environmental risk, in the marine environment.  The OCNS requires toxicity data from 3 trophic levels (Algae, Crustacea and Fish) to predict the potential ecosystem risk, and in turn, rank the product by Hazard Quotient (HQ).

The registration of a new chemical product will require a full set of ecotoxicity data on all non-PLONOR components. A guide to chemical registration (PDF, 185 KB, update 31 July 2006)

An example of a suitable format to present substance based toxicity data can be downloaded (Word, 25 KB). This also applies to existing products undergoing re-certification that have previously only submitted product based toxicity data.

The species requirements are shown below:

Algae

• OSPAR recommends test species Skeletonema costatum, or another suitable algae species if unavailable
• The test protocol for Skeletonema costatum is ISO/DIS 10253
• The duration of the algae test should be 72-hours, and the value that is used should be growth rate EC50, not the value for biomass
• If a no observed effect concentration at 72h (NOEC) is given on the test report, this value should also be provided

Crustacea

• OSPAR recommends test species Acartia tonsa, or another suitable crustacean species if unavailable
• The test protocol for Acartia tonsa is ISO TC 147/SC5/WG2
• The 48-hour LC50 should be provided
• If a no observed effect concentration at 48h (NOEC) is given on the test report, this value should also be provided.

Fish

• OSPAR recommends test species Scophthalmus maximus or another suitable fish species if unavailable
• Limit tests are recommended to reduce the numbers of fish used in testing, please see separate guidance
• If a full fish test is required, the following test protocol for the Scophthalmus maximus test (or other suitable species), PARCOM Protocol 1995 Pt B, is recommended
  • The 96-hour LC50 result should be provided
  • If a no observed effect concentration at 96h (NOEC) is given on the test report, this value should also be provided

There are exceptions where fish toxicity data are not required for a component, see below: Fish toxicity data will not be required for a substance if:  

• The substance is inorganic and the algae or crustacea toxicity result is < 1 mg/l
• The substance is organic and has a substitution warning, (attributed to either biodegradation < 20%, or biodegradation < 60% and log Pow > 3) and the algae or crustacea toxicity result is < 10 mg/l. 

It should be noted that toxicity test data for a fish test might reduce the penalty factor applied by CHARM when only two other species tests are available and hence reduce the Hazard Quotient and banding for a product. However this will only be the case if the individual substance data 'drives' the hazard quotient for the product.

Sediment Reworker 

Sediment Reworker ecotoxicity data are not mandatory for all products and are only required where a component fulfils at least one of the following conditions: A component:

• has log Pow result > 3
• is deemed to be a "sinker"
• has a Koc > 1000
• is Surface Active
• is known to adsorb to particles or be deposited in the sediment (eg contains surface active substances of the type which enhance adsorption to particles)

Cefas also actively encourages the use of literature data, where possible, providing that the data meet certain requirements.  Please see FAQ number 29 for more information

Further detail upon the test species applicable for the data submitted can be found in the downloadable documentCriteria for Accepting Alternative Toxicity data to support an HOCNF application (PDF, 17 KB)

Data submitted must meet the same requirements as requested for the standard OSPAR protocols (OSPAR HOCNF Guidelines for Suppliers (PDF, 35 KB, updated 16 June 2003)).

Ecotoxicology FAQs

1. What is the current position with respect to substance specific rather than product based toxicity testing?
2. When did the fish toxicity test become mandatory?
3. Are there any circumstances under which a fish test would not be required?
4. Is it acceptable to use literature data to support my HOCNF submission?
5. What is the current position with respect to the use of No Observed Effect Concentrations in the CHARM model?
6. OIC 2005 agreed that 'limit' testing should be introduced to reduce the numbers of fish used in testing substances for HMCS. What is limit testing and is it likely to affect the ranking of my company's products?