Concentrations of priority substances do not exceed the EQS values defined in Part A of Annex of the Directive 2013/39/EC in the frame of the WFD.

Concentrations of contaminants do not exceed the target value as established in regional cooperation for the WFD Scheldt-specific substances (copper, zinc and PCBs) for which WFD has not established a value in the relevant matrix.

Concentrations of contaminants do not exceed the value for a given matrix as determined in regional cooperation for additional contaminants such as the substances for which OSPAR defined environmental assessment criteria (EACs) in sediment or biota and concentrations in bird eggs in accordance with the OSPAR Ecological Quality Objectives. Where these are not defined (eg radionuclides), the guideline is that the general trend is not increasing.

The average proportion of oiled common guillemots (Uria aalge) is below 10% of the total number found dead or dying on the beaches.

For externally visible fish diseases, the fish disease index as determined according to the OSPAR JAMP recommendations does not show an increasing trend, pending the establishment of environmental assessment criteria (EAC) at the level of OSPAR.

Trend towards no illegal discharges from ships for the MARPOL Annex I, II and V substances, observed by air monitoring patrols.

In case of a significant acute maritime pollution event, a marine impact assessment and monitoring program according to PREMIAM guidelines is set up to follow, and if possible to minimalise, the effects of the pollution on the marine environment.

No increase of the risk of accute maritime pollution as quantified by the ‘BE-AWARE’ methodology, a methodology commonly developed and approved by the Bonn Agreement Contracting Parties for the Greater North Sea.

Biota: concentrations of Hg, Hexachlorobenzene and Hexachlorobutadienne are equal to or less than their EQS. (Directive 2008/105/EC)

Bird eggs: no difference is measured between Hg concentrations in bird eggs from impacted and non-industrial zones.

Bird eggs: concentrations of PCB, DDT, HCB and HCH in bird eggs are equal to or less than their OSPAR threshold values.

Effects: the average level of imposex is consistent with an exposure to TBT concentration less than the EAC.

Effects: the level of EROD (Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase) induction is below the background assessment level set in the OSPAR JAMP guideline on Integrated Guidelines for the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment of Contaminants.

Acute pollution: risks induced by maritime accidents which may cause a release of more than 1000 tons oil or have a comparable impact are kept at their present level.

Occurrence and extent of significant acute pollution events (e.g. slicks resulting from spills of oil and oil products or spills of chemicals) and their impact on biota affected by this pollution should be minimised.