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The National Plan Register of Oil Spill Control Agents
The National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances
Protocol for Acceptance into the OSCA Register
This material replaces and updates any previous information about Guidelines for Acceptance on Oil Spill Dispersant Approvals.
Contact for inquiries and changes
If you have any questions regarding this document, please email: Environment Protection Response
Under the National Plan to Combat the Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances, only those Oil Spill Control Agents (‘OSCAs’) listed on the National Plan Register of Oil Spill Control Agents (‘OSCA Register’) will be employed to combat oil pollution incidents. (Available once products are accepted for registration.) The transitional arrangements and current list of “approved” dispersants can be found here.
Applications for acceptance into the OSCA Register should be made on the Application Form [
PDF: 148Kb] and follow the procedure contained within the Approved Standard. [
PDF: 334Kb]
Oil Spill Control Agents now include all chemical types noted in the following table:
| Product Type | Purpose | Sub Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Spill Dispersants (OSD) | Products which, when applied to floating oil or oil on shorelines, increase the rate of penetration of oil into the water column and increase the persistence of this dispersed oil below the surface. | 1.1 | Hydrocarbon- based |
| 1.2 | Water-dilutable concentrates | ||
| 1.3 | Concentrates | ||
| Surface Cleaners or Washing Agents (SCA) | Products which, when applied to oil on shorelines or other firm surfaces facilitates the removal of the oil by natural processes or cleanup activities. | ||
| Bioremediation Agents (OBA) | Products which, when applied to oil or oiled substrates, enhance the biological degradation of oil by stimulating the growth of oil degrading bacteria or fungi | 3.1 | Nutrient only |
| 3.2 | Biological agent | ||
| Loose Sorbents (OSA) | Products (usually powder, granules or beads) which adsorb or absorb oil. Note: Sorbent pads, bags and books that are easily recovered are not included amongst OSCAs. | 4.1 | Natural - organic |
| 4.2 | Natural - mineral | ||
| 4.3 | Synthetic material | ||
| Degreasers (ODA) | Products used for cleaning oil from solid surfaces (more commonly machinery or marine structures). Unlike washing agents degreasers do not result in the incorporation of oil into run-off waters. | 5.1 | Natural solvent products |
| 5.2 | Enzyme-based products | ||
| 5.3 | Solvent-based products | ||
| Solidifying or Gelling Agents (OSA) | Products which, when applied to oil, result in the oil forming or being incorporated into a solid or semi solid matrix. | ||
| Emulsion Breakers (EBA) | Products designed to separate oil and water from emulsions. These are not generally used outside of controlled environments. | ||
| Herding Agents (OHA) | Products added to surface oil to restrict spreading | ||
| Wicking Agents (OWA) | Products added to surface oil to facilitate ignition. | ||
AMSA has no statutory product approval or licensing powers and will not issue a license or formal approval for OSCA products. However, once a product is listed on the OSCA Register, this product is considered to have met the standard for acceptable practice for use within the National Plan.
The standard for inclusion of a product on the OSCA Register is described within the Approved Standard, [ PDF: 334Kb] issued by AMSA and dated 8 April 2011. Once tested, the OSCA can be submitted for registration on the form contained within the Standard.
Please note the following important information:
- Inclusion of a product on the OSCA Register is not an endorsement of a product for use in any particular oil spill response operation.
- All previous acceptances for OSCAs, including dispersants, within the National Plan continue to apply to the existing National Plan inventory of OSCAs until used or replaced.
- All products (including those OSCAs with similar or identical formulations to those within the existing National Plan inventory) need to successfully complete the testing process to gain listing on the OSCA Register.
- Products included on the OSCA Register will be identified for the particular use stipulated in the application for listing of the OSCA.
- Products will be included on the register for a five year period. At the end of this time re-testing against the standard may be required, if the OSCA formulation has changed or the testing protocols have changed.
MacKay Dispersant Efficiency Test
Australia has three companies or organisations with a MacKay testing apparatus able to do dispersant effectiveness testing.
These are:
Victorian Department of Primary Industries
2A Bellarine Highway, Queenscliff, VIC 3225
PO Box 114, Queenscliff, VIC 3225
Contact person: Trevor Theodoropoulos
trevor.theodoropoulos@dpi.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 5258 0253; Mob: 0410 562 952
Geotechnical Services Pty Ltd (part of the Intertek Group)
41-45 Furnace Road,
Welshpool, Western Australia 6106
Contact person: Angela Downey, Laboratory Manager
Angela@geotechnical-services.com.au
Michael Simeoni - Divisional Manager - Industrial/Environmental Chemistry
Michael@geotechnical-services.com.au
www.geotechnical-services.com.au
Tel: (08) 94588877
Leeder Consulting Pty Ltd
5/18 Redland Drive, Mitcham Vic. 3123
Contact person: Adam Atkinson, Laboratory Manager
Adam@leederconsulting.com
Tel: (03) 9874 1988, Mob:0407 058 050, Fax: (03) 9874 1933
www.leederconsulting.com