The signature of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covers the framework for co-operation between the three organizations in establishing a network of chemical experts called “Marine ICE" or "MAR-ICE network," which aims to strengthen information transfer on chemical substances involved in marine pollution emergencies in EU waters.
The purpose of this network is to provide, upon request, the Member States of the European Union and the coastal states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) with remote product specific information on chemicals involved in marine pollution, by contacting experts in chemical companies who are familiar with the substance(s) involved.
This new service is based on the voluntary ICE (Intervention in Chemical transport Emergencies) emergency response network, which provides similar assistance to national Authorities in land based chemical spills during transport.
This network is available 24/7 and has been operated by Cefic since 1992. With this agreement, the three organizations aim to apply the ICE experience to the development and implementation of a similar EU-wide service for marine incidents involving chemical releases.
The service will be accessible to requesting parties via a single interface to be provided by Cedre, whose key mission is to offer an around the clock national advisory service which provides those in charge of pollution response with information on the pollutants, their behavior, the related risks and the best response methods and techniques.
The establishment of this network is part of EMSA’s implementation of its “Action Plan on Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Pollution Preparedness and Response,” which was adopted in June 2007 and defines the Agency’s pollution response tasks as stipulated in Regulation (EC) N° 1406/2002/EC.
(www.emsa.europa.eu)