OPRED and DESNZ have opened a second consultation on revised draft supplementary guidance on the methodology for considering derogations under OSPAR Decision 98/3. These revisions are in response to public feedback received following the previous consultation in 2025.
This new consultation invites stakeholders’ further comments on the changes and additions to the draft guidance.
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clarified the scope of the guidance (for example, the derogation categories)
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separated out what the operator is responsible for (preparing the full removal case), versus OPRED (assessing the full removal case)
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added more detail on what should be included in an operator’s full removal case
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added a substantial new annex containing the assessment criteria OPRED will use when reviewing the full removal case; our decision-making framework for assessing whether full removal is reasonably achievable; and a clearer definition of what we mean by ‘reasonably achievable’
This consultation closes on 6 December 2026.
Source: OPRED, DESNZ.