Implementing a PRTR system
Implementing a PRTR system will likely be a step-by-step process where all affected and interested parties will learn by doing. Again, depending on the goals and national objectives, PRTR lists may be developed from established criteria; may be small, medium or large lists of chemicals; and may address point and/or diffuse sources.
To some, this suggests starting with a relatively small list of chemicals which tend to be proscribed by many countries, e.g. known carcinogens, cyanidic species, greenhouse gases (if PRTR agreed goals are to include non-point sources as well as point sources) and so on. There is, however, another way to operate in a step-by-step fashion and also compromise well with those who argue about burdens of reporting on chemicals which pose acceptable risks and those who argue that essentially all pollutant releases and transfers may pose unacceptable risks.