REFIT evaluation of Directive 2000/59/EC on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues

Summary:

Report published by the European Commission on 31 March 2016 on the main findings of the evaluation conducted to Directive 2000/59/EC on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues (also know as the PRF Directive). It includes the views from the Commission, as well as the recommended next steps.

Further information:

The PRF Directive aims 'to reduce the discharges of ship-generated waste and cargo residues into the sea, especially illegal discharges from ships using ports in the EU, by improving the availability and use of port reception facilities'. It is seen as essential in achieving the objective of zero waste maritime traffic, and it contributes to the implementation of the EU waste hierarchy, by applying the principles of EU waste law in the context of the reception and handling of the waste from ships, as well as to the reduction of marine litter from sea-based sources.

The European Commisssion assessed the implementation and effectiveness of the PRF Directive over time. In a first phase, implementation reports were received from Member States. Subsequentlyseveral workshops and discussions were organised with stakeholders and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) prepared a horizontal assessment report following a cycle of visits to Member States to verify the implementation of the Directive.

In 2014, the Commission decided to undertake a REFIT Evaluation of the PRF Directive and to that end launched an evaluation study, which was completed in May 2015. The objective of the REFIT evaluation was to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the PRF Directive. The evaluation addressed questions on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, European added value and coherence of the PRF Directive.