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Christie - Dispersant Use and Product approval process in the UK 
Important points for consideration in decision making process: 
• Ensure that identity of caller is verified and that accurate contact information is es 
tablished. 
• Record all information accurately to assist decision making process and audit trail. 
• If a request for dispersant use is made or deemed likely to be made - establish 
the time with the caller and agree a response time. This is very important as MMO 
only have one hour from request receipt to make a dispersant authorisation deci 
sion. 
• Establish dispersant type (product name and volume) - aerial spray or by boat? 
• Approved oil spill treatment products are exempt from requiring a Marine Licence 
provided each use is approved. 
• Only products which are on the UK Approved Products List can be considered. 
• It is important that MMO gather as much information as possible to make in 
formed decisions. 
• Particular considerations are accurate co-ordinates of the incident, weather and 
tidal conditions, wind direction and strength, oil type and volumes, amount spilled 
or potential for spillage, accurate water depths. 
• Sometimes depending upon the type of oil spill and weather conditions, it is pref 
erable not to use dispersants and to let natural forces deal with the spill. 
• Water depth at the spill site and within 1 nautical mile is very important to consid 
er. This is because the dispersant itself can cause smothering of the sea bed if 
used within shallow waters. 
• Use of any Oil spill treatment product(s) under the surface of the sea must be au 
thorised. 
• For offshore dispersants, approval is required for any use. 
• The use of oil spill dispersant products in relation to offshore oil and gas explora 
tion and production operations is specifically excluded from these legislative re 
gimes and is regulated by DECC. 
Once a decision on dispersant use has been reached we make contact with the caller to ad 
vise them accordingly within the agreed timescale. 
If dispersant use is approved and if it is possible we would request a test spray with a limited 
volume of the dispersant. 
Once feedback on the effectiveness of the test spray is received we would agree or disagree 
with further use. 
MMO also take part in any Standing Environment Groups that may be called as a result of 
a Marine Emergency. 
We act in an advisory capacity for environmental issues and fishing activities in the area(s) 
that have potential to be affected. 
Standing Environment Groups (SEG): 
• SEGs can be activated by individual chairperson(s) during an incident. 
• SEGs are multi-agency bodies with responsibility for a particular area of coastline. 
Membership includes the Environment Agency, Natural England or Welsh Gov 
ernment, local authorities, MMO and others. 
• SEGs provide environmental advice to SoSRep (Secretary of State Representa 
tive for Transport). 
• 14 SEGs around England and Wales (plus Scotland and Northern Ireland). 
• Hold regular meetings in person so members know each other as this makes it 
easier to work together during an incident.