Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) applied to oil spill response is the process of considering advantages and disadvantages of different spill response options (including no response) to arrive at a spill response decision resulting in the lowest overall environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

Spill response will likely involve some combination of response options. There are no response methods that are completely effective or risk-free. NEBA should be conducted with appropriate regulatory agencies and other organizations as part of spill contingency planning. NEBA is important for pre-spill planning since some response options have a limited window of opportunity.

1.1 This guide covers considerations in determining net environmental benefit of dispersant use on oil spills. The purpose of this guide is to minimize environmental and socioeconomic impacts of oil spills.

1.2 Net environmental benefit analysis (NEBA) should be conducted as part of oil spill contingency planning.

1.3 There are many methods to control or cleanup oil spills. Dispersants should be given equal consideration with other spill response options.

1.4 Only general guidance is provided here. It is assumed that the crude or fuel oil is dispersible. The dispersant is assumed to be effective, applied correctly, and in compliance with relevant government regulations. Differences between commercial dispersants or between different oils are not considered in this guide.

1.5 This guide applies to marine and estuarine environments only.

1.6 When making dispersant use decisions, appropriate government authorities should be consulted as required by law.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.