An Assessment of International Management Strategies for CECs in Water

This study investigated management strategies among different countries worldwide (USA, Australia, Switzerland, EU, and Germany) for mitigating the risk associated with trace organic chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) in the aqueous environment. Although national strategies are adapted to specific geographic conditions and consider local occurrence pattern of CECs, two basic principles for reducing the release of chemicals could be identified among different countries. Risk-based strategies rely on regulating maximum allowable concentrations, which intend to limit the release of specifically known hazardous compounds to the aqueous environment. Strategies based on the precautionary principle aim to minimize the occurrence of undesired trace organic compounds in water bodies in general regardless of an identified risk. Both principles were implemented by suitable measures, which allowed minimizing or reducing the concentration of compounds in water bodies. Such measures can target single chemicals or groups of chemicals. Although strategies and implemented measures for the management of CECs were multifold, all strategies relied on comprehensive monitoring programs using target analysis for CECs. However, non-target and suspected target screening analyses are playing an increasing role in identifying relevant chemicals for inclusion in future monitoring programs.