Get an oil spill treatment product approved
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-26)

This page provides details of the efficacy and toxicity tests oil spill treatment products (OSTPs) must pass before being approved for use in UK waters, including information on the associated fees and methods for payment.

Details

All OSTPs must be tested for toxicological hazard before they can be approved for use in UK waters. The efficacy of an OSTP must also be evidenced either through specified efficacy tests or by the manufacturer providing ‘evidence of efficacy’ determined by independent laboratory tests. Testing is overseen by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), who act as the principal scientific advisor to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). Fees apply to the testing of products and to the evaluation of tests conducted by independent laboratories. All fees must be paid to MMO as part of the approvals process before a product can be approved for use.

Testing for efficacy

Dispersants

For dispersants, testing can be carried out within MMO-commissioned laboratories, or by independent laboratories selected by you. Independent laboratories must follow standard test protocols and should preferably comply with good laboratory practice (GLP) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-laboratory-practice-glp-for-safety-tests-on-chemicals) for safety tests on chemicals and/or UKAS, The UK Accreditation Body – Creating Confidence (https://www.ukas.com/). The methods and results of independent scientific testing procedures will be evaluated by MMO’s scientific advisor, Cefas, prior to a product being approved. We recommend that manufacturers verify the suitability of independent laboratories prior to commissioning testing; MMO can be contacted for further advice if necessary.

Products are tested to ensure they meet the specifications in appendix A to WSL Report LR448 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7d911fe5274a6b89a50d45/approval_lr448.pdf). This includes aspects of appearance, dynamic viscosity, flash point, cloud point, miscibility and efficiency. Efficacy is determined by a standard laboratory-based procedure. The efficacy test aims to assess the proportion of the total volume of treated oil that is dispersed into the water column. Two procedures can be used to test efficacy, these being
- the WSL LR448 method: Protocol for efficacy testing – report LR448 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7d911fe5274a6b89a50d45/approval_lr448.pdf), or
- the Cefas swirling flask method: Cefas efficacy test protocol from 1 March 2017 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68132b8d9d4e056731121724/Final_-_Dispersant_efficacy_testing_protocol_v1.pdf).
The minimum efficacy requirements depend on the type of dispersant being tested but are the same, regardless of which procedure is used.

Dispersant type 1: hydrocarbon solvent-based dispersant applied undiluted.

Dispersant type 2: concentrates diluted 1:10 with seawater before application.

Dispersant type 3: concentrates applied undiluted.

Dispersants must achieve an efficacy of 30% for type 1 and type 2, and 60% efficacy for type 3.

Bioremediation products

MMO needs to establish that a bioremediation product is environmentally acceptable and has proven potential to significantly improve oil biodegradation in the marine environment. This must be done before the product can be approved for use in UK waters.

The approach for assessing bioremediation product efficacy is based on the OECD 306 marine biodegradation tests (https://www.cefas.co.uk/data-and-publications/ocns/ocns-ecotoxicology-testing/) with modifications as necessary for poorly soluble substances. This approach can allow oil degradation, under standard conditions with and without the presence of the test product, to be compared and thus develop evidence that products enhance oil degradation. Applicants are advised to contact MMO to discuss/agree an appropriate scientifically robust approach which must be undertaken by an independent laboratory. The methods and results of independent scientific testing procedures will be evaluated by MMO’s scientific advisor, Cefas prior to a product being approved.

Sorbents, Herders and Surface cleaners

MMO also needs to establish that these products are environmentally acceptable and have proven potential to effectively treat oil in the marine environment. This must be done before the products can be approved for use in UK waters.

There is no standard method for the assessment of these products. Instead, applicants are advised to contact MMO to discuss/agree an appropriate scientifically robust approach which must be undertaken by an independent laboratory or to consider already available scientific evidence. The methods and results of independent scientific testing procedures will be evaluated by MMO’s scientific advisor, Cefas, prior to a product being approved.

Summary of efficacy test protocols

Testing for toxicity to marine species

OSTPs must be assessed for their toxicological hazard in the marine environment. This is done using two standard toxicity test procedures:
- 48hr acute toxicity test – Tisbe battagliai (harpacticoid copepod)
- 72hr growth inhibition test – Skeletonema costatum (marine diatom alga)
This approach utilises standard methods representing two trophic levels. For a product to be eligible for inclusion on the UK approved scheme it must meet the pass criteria for both tests.

The tests generate a median lethal/effect concentration (LC/EC50) representing the toxicity of the product to the test species. To pass the assessment for either test the LC/EC50 must be above (ie lower toxicity) 10 mg/l.

The test protocols can be found at: Oil Dispersant Toxicity Testing Review Cefas Report (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68132b9ec47c2060a9121739/Toxicity_testing_procedures__v1.pdf)

Fees for product testing

Cefas have the facilities to test dispersants on behalf of MMO for efficacy and can test all products for toxicity. If Cefas are unable to test a product, or if the applicant chooses to use an independent laboratory, the methods and results of independent testing will be subject to evaluation.

*All tests undertaken by independent laboratories must be evaluated by Cefas and are subject of an evaluation fee.

Fees for renewing the approval of products or the rebranding of approved products

The approval for an OSTP must be renewed every 5 years. This process will incur a fixed charge of £1,100 to cover expert review and administrative costs. This fee includes the costs incurred by MMO to obtain scientific advice relating to the continued suitability of the product to remain on the approved products list.

Similarly, to rebrand a product that is currently on the approved products list, a fee of £1,100 must be paid.

If it is identified that a product has changed significantly (eg a change in composition) since it was last approved, it may be necessary for efficacy and/or toxicity to be re-tested. Any further testing would be subject to the fees outlined above.

Apply to have an oil spill treatment product approved, renewed or rebranded

To apply to have an OSTP approved for use in UK waters you must complete the online form and submit it to the MMO Marine Conservation Team using the email address below. This form must also be completed by applicants seeking to renew or rebrand products which are already on the approved products list. Payments relating to the testing of products must be made using one of the methods described.

Get an oil spill treatment product approved: application form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b607f00e5274a5f5466161a/ostp-application-2018.pdf)

How to make a payment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67bddb31b0d253f92e213c62/How_to_make_a_payment.pdf) (PDF, 41.7 KB, 1 page)

Contact information

Marine Conservation Team Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)