New EU Water Framework Directive Guidance

The European Commission published today guidance to ensure simpler and more harmonised implementation of EU water laws by reducing uncertainties about compliance. It aims to support Europe’s overall resilience agenda, which includes water resilience. This guidance is part of the Commission’s efforts to support Europe’s overall resilience by maintaining high standards for our waters to protect human health and the environment, while ensuring access to the critical raw materials needed for the clean transition.

The guidance provides clarity on the  Water Framework Directive, supported by its so-called daughter directives – the Groundwater Directive and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive. It is part of the RESourceEU Action Plan and takes into account the objectives of the Water Resilience Strategy.

The guidance document explains how to assess the environmental impact of new projects on water quality. It focuses on projects affecting the chemical status of water bodies and rules set out in EU water laws, which already allow for lower environmental objectives.

It also explains new exemptions that are introduced through recent amendments of water legislation. They allow simplified procedures for projects that lead only to short-term deterioration or to the relocation of pollution without a net increase. The document also provides examples of how flexibilities can be applied to facilitate mining, metal processing, and other critical raw materials projects.

Find out more here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_1129

View EEA Water Data Assessment information here:  https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/water