Under the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC 1990) governments of coastal states are required to establish measures for dealing with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries. A total of 100 countries (including the majority of European coastal states) are currently signatory to the Convention, which calls for the establishment of stockpiles of oil spill combating equipment, holding exercises and development of detailed plans for dealing with pollution incidents. Parties to the convention are also required to provide assistance to others in the event of a pollution emergency and provision is made for the reimbursement of any assistance provided. The Convention provides for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to play an important co-ordinating role.

In Europe, OPRC 1990 requirements are also implemented via the Regional Agreements for protection of the regional seas:

• Helsinki Convention for the protection of the Baltic Sea
• Bonn Agreement for the protection of the North Sea
• Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea
• Bucharest Convention for the protection of the Black Sea
• Lisbon Agreement for the protection of the North-East Atlantic.

EU Member States also work together to improve preparedness for oil spill incidents via programmes run by DG Environment and the European Maritime Safety Agency. More details on these organisations are given under the preparedness section of this website.