HELCOM RECOMMENDATION 1/8 

Adopted 5 May 1980 having regard to Article 13, Paragraph b) of the Helsinki Convention 

RECOMMENDATION ON MINIMIZATION OF THE USE OF DISPERSANTS, SINKING AGENTS AND ABSORBENTS IN OIL COMBATTING OPERATIONS IN THE BALTIC SEA AREA 

THE COMMISSION,

MINDFUL of its duty according to Paragraph b) of Article 13 of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, 1974, (Helsinki Convention), to make recommendations relating to the purposes of the Convention,

RECALLING the opinion expressed at the fifth meeting of the Interim Commission, as recorded in Paragraph 9.2.7.2. in the report on that meeting, on the use of dispersants, sinking agents and absorbents in oil combatting operations in the Baltic Sea Area,

RECOMMENDS that Governments of the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention in oil combatting operations in the Baltic Sea Area should use mechanical means as far as possible and see to it that:

1. the use of dispersants is limited as far as possible and that any such use is subject to authorization, in each individual case, by the competent national authorities;

2. sinking agents are not used at all; and

3. absorbents are used only when appropriate.