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<p>The Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) general objective, as set out by the
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA), is to manage its activities with the objective
of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, taking account of all
relevant facts and matters and in a consistent and coordinated manner (section 2(1)
MCAA). In our decision making and when making our recommendations to the Secretary
of State where applicable, the MMO considers the need to protect the environment,
human health, and to prevent interference with legitimate uses of the sea (and such
other matters as thought relevant) (section 69 MCAA). As a signatory to the Oslo and
Paris convention (specifically OSPAR 1992 Annex lll Article 4) the UK must ensure
that chemicals are approved for use in the marine environment. This is a requirement
for each signatory country for their exclusive economic zone beyond 12 nautical miles
and covers the area up to the recognised international boundaries.</p><p> </p><p>Offshore
wind farm (OWF) applications with a generating capacity of more than 100MW are classed
as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), as set out in Part 3 of
the Planning Act 2008 (as amended), and as such are granted or refused by the Secretary
of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. OWF developments</p><p> </p><p>The <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ospar.org%2Fwork-areas%2Feiha%2Foffshore-renewables&data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C85a4a37afebb45376f8308dc015dbb4a%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638386749302011585%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KkTp5OeMVBEZCSD5t9a1LHg26H766Cb8JXR7Kl0Liq0%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">OSPAR guidance on environmental considerations for OWF development</a>
suggests that all chemicals, paints and coverings used in the maintenance and repair
of OWFs should be approved for use in the marine environment and their properties
should be sufficiently understood. DML conditions are contained within DCOs consented
by the Secretary of State, to capture this requirement, alongside others regarding
the control of chemicals in the offshore environment.</p><p> </p><p>Under the management
of DML conditions, the MMO reviews chemicals used, and any chemicals not already approved
under the List of Notified Chemicals require a chemical risk assessment to be submitted
before being approved for use.</p><p> </p><p>Generally, lubricants are used in small
quantities with low risk to enter the marine environment. They are used to maintain
low friction, allow for efficient heat transfer and for the maintenance of hydraulics
or moving mechanical parts in activities relating to foundations, cable laying, substation
platforms and wind turbine generators where applicable. Regardless, all lubricants
are considered for their environmental sustainability alongside all chemicals as part
of the process outlined above.</p>
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