Lecture
From Science to Regulation: Prioritizing Regulatory Measures for PMT/vPvM Substances
- at -
- ICM Saal 3
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent, very mobile (vPvM) substances have been detected in European water resources for decades and are recognised under the REACH regulation as posing a level of concern comparable to PBT/vPvB
substances. Their persistence transforms temporary emissions into long-term contamination, leading to rising socio-economic costs for drinking water treatment and threatening the sustainable use of water resources. Despite this, significant data gaps
remain: for nearly half of the contaminants detected in water resources, no conclusive assessment of intrinsic degradability in the aquatic environment is available in the REACH registration database. Persistence (P) is the most severe intrinsic hazardous
property, as it may cause irreversible environmental exposure.
The OECD TG 309 aerobic surface water test is the key standard tool to demonstrate intrinsic aerobic degradability and to derive reliable DegT₅₀ values in surface water. A pragmatic and cost-effective “cold” OECD TG 309 approach is presented. This approach avoids radiolabelled test substances, relies on standard analytic infrastructure, and enables a broad range of laboratories to contribute data relevant for the assessment of intrinsic degradability and the regulation of water contaminants.
Recommendations have been developed to ensure validity and comparability of “cold” OECD TG 309 tests, covering test design, temperature, concentrations, sampling strategy and data evaluation. These recommendations support a new concept of
Persistence-Directed Testing (PDT).
A comprehensive PMT/vPvM assessment of the whole REACH registration database shows that only 1.9% of registered substances currently fall into the new PMT/vPvM hazard classes under CLP. A transparent three-step prioritisation framework is
presented, guiding the identification of high-priority substances and the selection of proportionate and effective regulatory measures.
Overall, the work demonstrates how targeted testing strategies, combined with systematic prioritisation, can bridge the gap between science and regulation and significantly strengthen the protection of Europe’s drinking water resources.
substances. Their persistence transforms temporary emissions into long-term contamination, leading to rising socio-economic costs for drinking water treatment and threatening the sustainable use of water resources. Despite this, significant data gaps
remain: for nearly half of the contaminants detected in water resources, no conclusive assessment of intrinsic degradability in the aquatic environment is available in the REACH registration database. Persistence (P) is the most severe intrinsic hazardous
property, as it may cause irreversible environmental exposure.
The OECD TG 309 aerobic surface water test is the key standard tool to demonstrate intrinsic aerobic degradability and to derive reliable DegT₅₀ values in surface water. A pragmatic and cost-effective “cold” OECD TG 309 approach is presented. This approach avoids radiolabelled test substances, relies on standard analytic infrastructure, and enables a broad range of laboratories to contribute data relevant for the assessment of intrinsic degradability and the regulation of water contaminants.
Recommendations have been developed to ensure validity and comparability of “cold” OECD TG 309 tests, covering test design, temperature, concentrations, sampling strategy and data evaluation. These recommendations support a new concept of
Persistence-Directed Testing (PDT).
A comprehensive PMT/vPvM assessment of the whole REACH registration database shows that only 1.9% of registered substances currently fall into the new PMT/vPvM hazard classes under CLP. A transparent three-step prioritisation framework is
presented, guiding the identification of high-priority substances and the selection of proportionate and effective regulatory measures.
Overall, the work demonstrates how targeted testing strategies, combined with systematic prioritisation, can bridge the gap between science and regulation and significantly strengthen the protection of Europe’s drinking water resources.
Acknowledgement – This research project was funded by the German Environmental Agency (UBA) as project no 179154.
Literature:
[1] UBA TEXTE 175/2024 Contaminants in water resources: Prioritization and recommendations for conducting a “cold” biodegradation simulation test according to OECD TG 309 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/contaminants-in-waterresources-prioritization
