| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2011) 875 final (31.1.12) |
| Publication Date | 31/01/2012 |
| Content Type | Policy-making, Report |
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Article 16(4) of the Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC) requires the Commission to review regularly its Annex X which contains the list of priority substances in the field of water policy, identified among those posing a significant risk to or via the aquatic environment. Article 16(2) sets out the criteria for the identification of priority substances. In addition, Article 16(3) requires the Commission to identify priority hazardous substances, a subset of priority substances characterised by their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity or equivalent level of concern. Article 16(6) requires the Commission to put forward proposals of controls for the progressive reduction of discharges, emissions and losses of priority substances and for the cessation or phase-out of emissions, discharges and losses of priority hazardous substances. It also sets out a time limit of 20 years to achieve the cessation or phase-out, from the date of adoption of the controls. The existing list of 33 priority substances was established by Decision No 2455/2001/EC, and amended by Directive 2008/105/EC (EQSD). The latter also established environmental quality standards (EQS) for all the 33 priority substances and for 8 other pollutants that were already regulated at EU level under existing legislation. Article 8 of EQSD requires the Commission to consider, within the framework of the review of WFD Annex X, inter alia the substances set out in Annex III to that Directive for possible identification as priority substances or priority hazardous substances. The Commission should report the outcome of its review to the European Parliament and to the Council by 2011 and accompany the report, if appropriate, with relevant proposals, in particular proposals to identify new priority substances or priority hazardous substances or to identify certain priority substances as priority hazardous substances and to set corresponding EQS for surface water, sediment or biota, as appropriate. This report is the Commission report required by Article 8 of the EQSD. It is accompanied by a Commission proposal for a Directive amending Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/105/EC as regards priority substances in the field of water policy. |
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| Source Link | http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0875:FIN:EN:PDF |
| Related Links |
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| Subject Categories | Environment |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
