There are a few not-for-profit organisations that are specialised in oil spill response and preparedness and provide a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the various issues.

International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF)

The International Tanker Owner Pollution Federation (ITOPF) is an international key player in the field of oil spill response and preparedness. ITOPF's team of technical staff is in constant readiness to respond to ship-source spills anywhere in the world. This service is normally undertaken on behalf of Members (tanker owners) or Associates (other ship owners) and their oil pollution insurers (normally one of the P&I Clubs) or at the request of governments or international agencies such as the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC). Other services provided include damage assessment, contingency planning, training and the provision of information.

ITOPF maintains an extensive library, a number of databases, and produces technical publications and videos.

Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution (CEDRE)

Cedre is a non-profit-making association acting as an operator for the French State. It was created in 1978, in the aftermath of the Amoco Cadiz oil spill, in a bid to be more fully prepared for accidental water pollution and to strengthen the national response organisation. It is responsible, on a national scale, for documentation, research and experimentation on pollutants, their effects and the response means and tools that can be used to combat them. Its role as an advisory body and its expertise encompass both marine and inland waters. It is financed both by government subsidies and by public and private contracts.