Hengstmann et al. Environmental Sciences Europe (2026) 38:20 
Minimum requirements 
The general goal of minimizing emissions from OWFs is 
already part of country-specific and transnational regula- 
tions, but should be further specified for chemical emis- 
sions. In a first step, minimum requirements may focus 
on selected topics e.g., corrosion protection measures or 
regulatory approaches. As a basis, regulations concern- 
ing chemical emissions that are already in place, like the 
ban of biocides in coatings (several countries) and rules 
for minimizing microplastic emissions (Belgium and 
Netherlands), may be adapted in other North Sea bor- 
dering countries. A source-based approach for regulat- 
ing chemical emissions in combination with detailed 
emission studies on actual emissions in offshore pro- 
jects (Germany) may help to extend rules specifically 
for chemical emissions from OWFs. The preference for 
ICCP instead of GACP (as expressed by Germany and 
France) may be one solution to reduce the emission of 
metals but may introduce halogenated compounds [25]. 
However, information on potential emissions from ICCP 
and their impacts on the marine environment is scarce. 
Future studies need to provide more and transparent data 
in order to better assess the impact of alternative tech- 
nologies such as (but not restricted to) ICCP in a possible 
process of harmonization of regulations. 
Consequently, a next step is to phrase minimum 
requirements for regulating emissions of chemicals from 
OWFs depending on the applied techniques (source- 
based approach). 
Monitoring and data needs 
Having a comprehensive overview of applied chemicals 
on OWFs and their ingredients can be beneficial for the 
estimation of chemical emissions and their impacts. As 
shown in a review by Hengstmann et al. [21], there is a 
lack of scientific data on the composition of chemicals 
used in specific offshore wind applications (e.g. coatings) 
as well as chemical emissions and their ecotoxicologi- 
cal assessment. Further research and international data- 
bases on chemical contaminants from OWFs are needed. 
When national authorities require lists of planned and 
used chemicals in OWFSs in the authorization process 
(building on the procedures already in place in Germany 
and Belgium), this information may help in identifying 
chemicals that may be of concern. Furthermore, chemi- 
cals that lack data for risk assessment for the marine 
environment should be evaluated before they are utilized 
in OWFs. The more information on chemicals and their 
emissions and impacts will become available, the better 
they can be evaluated. 
Moreover, data on emissions and their impacts on the 
marine environment should be gathered in general. Mon- 
itoring during the operational phase is an important tool 
Page 6 nf 9 
to do so and could be inspired by established monitor- 
\ng procedures used in other sectors, like offshore oil and 
gas. Results from monitoring can help determine emis- 
sions more precisely, identify those contaminants that 
show large releases, enrichment in water, sediment or 
biota and/or are of concern due to potential impacts on 
the environment. Overall, increasing the knowledge on 
chemical emissions from OWFs through monitoring and 
research, as well as sharing data on chemical substances 
used and monitoring results publicly, may contribute to 
the goal of reducing emissions of prioritized chemicals. 
On that account, there is a need to monitor and study 
chemicals from OWFs scientifically to extend knowledge 
on the emissions and better assess their occurrence and 
effects in the marine environment. 
Balance between regulation and innovation 
With additional data gained by an overview of applied 
chemicals in OWFs and monitoring programs, new inno- 
vative technologies may be developed, designs already 
in use can be optimized and Best Available Techniques 
(BATs) may be revised and improved to limit chemical 
emissions. It is important to review regulations and BATs 
cegularly to ensure that they reflect the latest findings 
and adapt them, if necessary. Adapted and optimized 
regulations and techniques could then address specific 
emissions in order to minimize pollution. When imple- 
menting harmonized regulations, it should be considered 
though, that these do not impede innovation of different 
techniques but still allow for their development. The dif- 
äculty of reconciling regulation and innovation is a cross- 
sectoral issue. So-called “experimentation spaces” can 
ensure greater flexibility in a protected regulative envi- 
ronment [13] and could also be applied in the offshore 
wind sector. At the same time, fragmentation in regula- 
tions between countries is also known to hinder innova- 
tion [17] so that harmonization may also be beneficial in 
this respect. 
Therefore, adaptation and expansion of guidelines, reg- 
ulations and BATs with increasing knowledge on chemi- 
cal emissions from OWFs must go hand in hand with 
sufficient scope for innovation and feasibility. 
Coordination efforts 
rurther development of regulations addressing chemical 
emissions from OWFs should also take into consideration 
to harmonize rules transnationally aiming towards the 
minimization of impacts on the environment already in 
che design phase. A harmonization of regulations would 
also be beneficial for developers and operators that man- 
age OWFs in various countries. However, it is important 
to clarify to what extent regulations can be established 
on an overarching level. Chemical emissions will spread