Hengstmann et al. Environmental Sciences Europe (2026) 38:20

Pag: nf9

though the United Kingdom (UK) currently has the
highest cumulative capacity of offshore wind energy in
Europe, it was not considered in this study. Regulatory
approaches in the UK have been compared with those
in the United States (US) and Germany in a review
by Hengstmann et al. [21]. English was the primary
language for the online research but information in
national languages was still retrieved. Such documents
were translated which may lead to loss of information
or translation errors. Furthermore, all documents and
websites identified in the online research were publicly
available, excluding information with restricted access.
Therefore, public authorities were contacted and asked
for further information and documents. Still, it cannot
be ruled out that restricted, internal guidelines were
omitted.,
Relevant information on regulations in the different
 countries was gathered, the overview table is provided
 in the SI Part B. Based on the compiled results,
regulatory frameworks were compared between the
countries and gaps across countries were identified.
 Furthermore, recommendations for more indepth
 regulations as well as possible harmonization
approaches were developed. A draft version of the
policy brief was presented to stakeholders of the EU
Interreg project Anemoi. The feedback received has
been incorporated.
For more information on the procedure, please see
the SI (Part A).

Comparison of existing regulations in countries
bordering the North Sea
Comparing the above-mentioned countries with respect
to regulations on chemical emissions from OWFs, several
 differences but also similarities become visible
(Table. 1 and SI Part B). In general, the protection of
the environment is of importance in every country and
reduction of the impact on the environment by anthropogenic
 activities is an overall goal. This is in line with
international (e.g. United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea) and regional (e.g. Oslo Paris Convention)
agreements, which call for the prevention, reduction and
control of possible pollution of the marine environment
31, 37]. Furthermore, the OSPAR Guidance on Environmental
 Considerations for Offshore Wind Farm Development
 provides recommendations for chemical emissions
from OWFs which affect all countries considered in the
analysis, as the North Sea is part of the OSPAR region.
These guidelines state that the threat of marine pollution
by hazardous substances (from construction or operation)
 needs to be minimized, the risk of chemical pollution
 incidents should be reduced and scouring material
should be free of chemical contaminants [30]. Regardless
of the extent to which the OSPAR regulations have been
'mplemented in the North Sea coastal states, it is permissible
 to go beyond the OSPAR regulations. In some
cases, this option is also being exercised. Furthermore,
the provisions of the European Renewable Energy Directives,
 most recently Directive (EU) 2023/2412 (RED III),
have an impact on national requirements for OWFs as
these must be transposed into national law. This directive

Table 1 Selection of existing regulations on chemical emissions from OWFs in considered countries
Country General Impact Monitoring available for Anodes
assessment FL——d————d—d_—_— HFWLZ—————_— ———
Biology Water/ Chemicals
hydrodyn

Coatings

Belgium

Introduction of Rules available Yes
substances not
allowed
Reduce negative Rufes available Yes
anv. impacts
Minimise chemical Rules available Yes
2missions; Reduce
negative env.
mpacts
Reduce negative
env. impacts

7

Toxic paints not
allowed

Jenmark

Germany

iCCP (preferred); Galvanic+
 coatings; Zn
anodes not allowed;
Reduce impurities
Project dependant;
alvanic & ICCP
allowed

Antifouling paints not
allowed

France

Antifouling paints not
allowed

The Netherlands

Introduction of
substances not
allowed
Reduce negative Rules available
2nVv. iMpacts

Rules available

Yes

Specific types allowed

Norway

Generally required, no information on focus

For a more comprehensive overview see SI (Part B). hydrodyn hydrodynamics, env environmental