A key tool governments are using to provide data to the public about potentially toxic releases to the environment is a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR). A PRTR is an database or register of the quantities of potentially harmful chemicals, reported by facilities, which are released to air, water and soil and/or transferred.

In 1996, the OECD Council adopted a Recommendation on implementing PRTRs. Since its adoption, OECD has worked together with governments, industry and NGOs to develop practical tools that help reduce efforts by Member countries, provide outreach to non-member countries, and co-ordinate international activities. One key document prepared by OECD is the PRTR Guidance Manual.

With PRTR programmes in place, government authorities can set priorities for reducing or even eliminating the most potentially damaging releases and track progress toward meeting environmental objectives. A PRTR also provides an incentive for industry to reduce its releases and transfers.

To help Member countries implement efficient and effective PRTR systems, OECD produces documents dealing with: the experiences of countries who have developed PRTRs; current and emerging uses of PRTR data; and how PRTRs differ; and the identification, selection and adaptation of release estimation techniques  that industry uses to calculate PRTR releases and transfers.

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