Sewage sludges originating from all western German states from 1987 till 1989 have been analyzed for two groups of organic pollutants, which are not specified in the German sewage sludge regulations (Klarschlammverordnung) from 1992: the isomeric 4-nonylphenols and the chlorophenols. The applied analytical methods are presented, as well as the analytical results. In almost all 149 analyzed samples nonylphenols could be found, at an average of 128.2 mg/kg dry matter. In the case of chlorophenols, pentachlorophenol was the most pronounced in respect to amount and to frequency of positive results: i.e. in 85 samples investigated, the mean value was 59.5 mug/kg. Results are reported in percentils. The data correspond to sewage sludges from the past and will be used as a guideline in evaluating all following studies of sludges. Investigations will be continued.