This is the third edition of the IP's Guidelines on oil spill dispersants, which were originally published in 1979. This new edition has been produced to take account of recent advances in research and development work on the use of oil spill dispersants. This new publication is intended to help managers (for example Health and Safety Managers) plan for the use of dispersants as part of their response to an oil spill at sea. The guidelines are based upon general principles that are applicable worldwide. They build on the IMO/UNEP Guidelines on oil spill dispersant application (IMO, 1995), but are illustrated with specific examples and the regulatory framework from the UK.