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NORMAN prioritisation methodology
The NORMAN prioritisation methodology is designed to tackle emerging substances and associated knowledge gaps. The procedure is carried out in two successive stages. The first stage uses a decision tree that classifies chemicals into six categories, based on identified (“categories” of) knowledge gaps and actions to be taken by the research community and public authorities to fill them. The second stage entails the prioritisation of the substances within each (action) category, on the basis of the criteria / indicators identified for each category.
The overall process is iterative, and involves a periodic revision of the priority substances in each category whenever e.g. new information / more reliable data is generated or feedback from applied reduction measures is available.
The NORMAN scheme is addressed to water managers and competent authorities aiming to identify priority substances at national, river basin and European level. It provides decision-makers with a common framework for the creation and updating of the lists of chemical substances for which actions to reduce, monitor or gather scientific or technical data are to be undertaken as a matter of priority.