### promoting lifelong learning , notably flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all taking into account digital skills , better anticipating change and new skills requirements based on labour market needs , facilitating career transitions and promoting professional mobility ; ### promoting lifelong learning , notably flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all taking into account digital skills , better anticipating change including those entailed by a just transition to a low carbon and circular economy and new skills requirements based on labour market needs , facilitating career transitions and promoting professional mobility ;


### enhancing the equal and timely access to quality , sustainable and affordable services ; modernising social protection systems , including promoting access to social protection ; improving accessibility , effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long - term care services ; ### enhancing the equal and timely access to quality , sustainable and affordable health and care services ; modernising social protection systems , ensuring universal health coverage and protection from financial hardship , including promoting access to social protection for the most deprived people and people with chronic and long - term conditions ; improving accessibility , effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long - term care services including the de - institutionalisation of care for persons with disabilities ;


### enhancing the equal and timely access to quality , sustainable and affordable services ; modernising social protection systems , including promoting access to social protection ; improving accessibility , effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long - term care services ; ### enhancing the equal and timely access to quality , sustainable and affordable services ; modernising social protection systems , including promoting access to social protection ; improving accessibility , for persons with disabilities , effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long - term care services ;


### the esf + shall support the following specific objectives in the policy areas of employment , education , social inclusion and health and thereby also contributing to the policy objective for &#8220 ; a more social europe - implementing the european pillar of social rights&#8221 ; set out in article [ 4 ] of the [ future cpr ] : ### the esf + shall support the following specific objectives in the policy areas of employment , education , poverty eradication , social integration and inclusion and health , and thereby also contributing to the policy objective for &#8220 ; a non - discriminatory , inclusive and more social europe - implementing the european pillar of social rights and eliminating poverty and social exclusion&#8221 ; set out in article [ 4 ] of the [ future cpr ] :


### modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor - made assistance and support to labour market matching , transitions and mobility ; ### modernising labour market institutions and services to end discrimination and assess and anticipate skills needs , strengthen cooperation with enterprises and ensure timely , non - discriminatory , inclusive and tailor - made assistance and support to labour market matching , transitions and mobility ;


### under the health strand , the esf + shall support health promotion and disease prevention , contribute to effectiveness , accessibility and resilience of health systems , make healthcare safer , reduce health inequalities , protect citizens from cross - border health threats , and support eu health legislation . ### under the health strand , the esf + shall support health promotion and disease prevention , contribute to effectiveness , accessibility , non - discrimination and resilience of health systems , make healthcare safer , reduce health inequalities , end the pathologisation of stigmatised groups , including persons with mental or intellectual disabilities , transsexual and intersex people , protect people living in the union from cross - border health threats , and support union health legislation .


### modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor - made assistance and support to labour market matching , transitions and mobility ; ### modernising and integrating labour market institutions and services at national , regional and local level to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor - made assistance and support to labour market matching , transitions across the life - cycle and voluntary mobility , including at cross - border level while improving the job quality in all its aspects ;


### promoting equal access to and completion of , quality and inclusive education and training , in particular for disadvantaged groups , from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training , and to tertiary level , as well as adult education and learning , including facilitating learning mobility for all ; ### promoting equal access to and completion of , quality and inclusive education and training , adequately adressing early school leaving , in particular for marginalised and disadvantaged groups , for those in urban , rural and remote areas , from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training , and to tertiary level , as well as adult education and learning , including facilitating learning mobility for all and accessibility for persons with disabilities ;


### a smarter europe through the development of skills for smart specialisation , skills for key enabling technologies , industrial transition , sectorial cooperation on skills and entrepreneurship , the training of researchers , networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions , vocational and educational training institutions , research and technological centres and enterprises and clusters , support to micro , small and medium sized enterprises and the social economy ; ### a smarter europe through the development and ongoing adaptation of skills for smart specialisation in close conjunction with developments in new technologies , skills for key enabling technologies , industrial transition , green jobs and sustainable development , sectorial cooperation on skills and entrepreneurship , the training of researchers , mentors , coaches and trainers , in particular in the field of human capital and human resources development , networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions , vocational and educational training institutions , research and technological centres and enterprises and clusters , support to micro , small and medium sized enterprises and the social economy and professional corporations ;


### a greener , low carbon europe through the improvement of education and training systems necessary for the adaptation of skills and qualifications , the upskilling of all , including the labour force , the creation of new jobs in sectors related to the environment , climate and energy , and the bioeconomy . ### a greener , low carbon europe through the improvement of education and training systems at the various stages of professional activity necessary for raising awareness of climate change , the adaptation of skills and qualifications , the upskilling of persons in active employment and jobseekers , the creation of new green jobs in sectors related to the environment , climate and energy , circular economy and the bioeconomy .


### article 5 budget the total financial envelope for the esf + for the period 2021 - 2027 shall be eur 101&#160 ; 174&#160 ; 000&#160 ; 000 in current prices . 2 . the part of the financial envelope for the esf + strand under shared management under the investment for jobs and growth goal shall be eur 100 000 000 000 in current prices or eur 88 646 194 590 in 2018 prices of which eur 200 000 000 in current prices or eur 175 000 000 in 2018 prices shall be allocated for transnational cooperation supporting innovative solutions as referred to in article 23 and eur 400 000 000 in current prices or eur 376 928 934 in 2018 prices as additional funding to the outermost regions identified in article 349 tfeu and the nuts level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in article 2 of protocol no 6 to the 1994 act of accession . 3 . the financial envelope for the employment and social innovation strand and the health strand for the period 2021 - 2027 shall be eur 1 174 000 000 in current prices . 4 . the indicative distribution of the amount referred in paragraph 3 shall be : eur 761&#160 ; 000&#160 ; 000 for the implementation of the employment and social innovation strand ; b ) eur 413 000 000 for the implementation of the health strand . 5 . the amounts referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 may also be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the programmes , such as preparatory , monitoring , control , audit and evaluation activities including corporate information technology systems . ### article 5 budget the total financial envelope for the esf + for the period 2021 - 2027 shall be eur 106 781 000 000 in 2018 prices . 2 . the part of the financial envelope for the esf + strand under shared management under the investment for jobs and growth goal shall be eur 105 686 000 000 in 2018 prices of which eur 200 000 000 in current prices or eur 175 000 000 in 2018 prices shall be allocated for transnational cooperation supporting innovative solutions as referred to in article 23 and eur 400 000 000 in current prices or eur 376 928 934 in 2018 prices as additional funding to the outermost regions identified in article 349 tfeu and the nuts level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in article 2 of protocol no 6 to the 1994 act of accession . 3 . the financial envelope for the employment and social innovation strand and the health strand for the period 2021 - 2027 shall be eur 1 095 000 000 in 2018 prices . 4 . the indicative distribution of the amount referred in paragraph 3 shall be : eur 675 000 000 in 2018 prices for the implementation of the employment and social innovation strand ; b ) eur 420 000 000 in 2018 prices for the implementation of the health strand . 5 . the amounts referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 may also be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the programmes , such as preparatory , monitoring , control , audit and evaluation activities including corporate information technology systems .


### the total financial envelope for the esf + for the period 2021 - 2027 shall be eur 101 174 000 000 in current prices . ### the resources available for the esf + shall amount to27 . 5 % of the resources under the investment for jobs and growth goal , excluding the amount for health , employment and social innovation


### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . ### member states shall allocate at least 5% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , or whenever their neet rate is above 15% , or whenever their youth unemployment rate is above 15% , shall allocate at least 15% of their esf + resources under shared management in the programming period to the above mentioned actions and structural reform measures .


### outermost regions meeting the conditions set out in the first and second subparagraphs shall allocate at least 15% of the esf + resources under shared management in their programmes to the targeted actions set out in the first subparagraph . this allocation shall be taken into account for verifying compliance with the minimum percentage at national level set out in the first and second subparagraphs . ### outermost regions meeting the conditions set out in the first and second subparagraphs shall allocate at least 20% of the esf + resources under shared management in their programmes to the targeted actions set out in the first subparagraph . this allocation shall be taken into account for verifying compliance with the minimum percentage at national level set out in the first and second subparagraphs . this allocation shall not replace funding necessary for infrastructure and development for outermost regions .


### member states and , where appropriate the commission , shall foster synergies and ensure coordination , complementarity and coherence between the esf + and other union funds , programmes and instruments such as erasmus , the asylum and migration fund and the reform support programme , including the reform delivery tool and the technical support instrument , both in the planning phase and during implementation . member states and , where appropriate the commission , shall optimise mechanisms for coordination to avoid duplication of effort and ensure close cooperation between those responsible for implementation to deliver coherent and streamlined support actions . ### member states , through their national and regional authorities , and , where appropriate , the commission , shall foster synergies and ensure coordination , complementarity and coherence between the esf + and other union funds , such as the structural funds and in particular the european regional development fund and the cohesion fund , as well as programmes and instruments such as erasmus , the asylum and migration fund and the reform support programme , including the reform delivery tool and the technical support instrument , both in the planning phase and during implementation without prejudice to the objectives of the esf + as set out in articles 3 and 4 . member states and , where appropriate the commission , shall optimise mechanisms for coordination to avoid duplication of effort and ensure close cooperation between those responsible for implementation to deliver coherent and streamlined support actions .


### member states and , where appropriate the commission , shall foster synergies and ensure coordination , complementarity and coherence between the esf + and other union funds , programmes and instruments such as erasmus , the asylum and migration fund and the reform support programme , including the reform delivery tool and the technical support instrument , both in the planning phase and during implementation . member states and , where appropriate the commission , shall optimise mechanisms for coordination to avoid duplication of effort and ensure close cooperation between those responsible for implementation to deliver coherent and streamlined support actions . ### member states and , where appropriate the commission , shall foster synergies and ensure coordination , complementarity and coherence between the esf + and other union funds , programmes and instruments such as erasmus , the asylum and migration fund and the reform support programme , including the reform delivery tool and the technical support instrument , the post - 2020 eu framework for national roma integration strategies , the european regional development fund , both in the planning phase and during implementation . member states and , where appropriate the commission , shall optimise mechanisms for coordination to avoid duplication of effort and ensure close cooperation between those managing authorities responsible for implementation to deliver integrated approaches , coherent and streamlined support actions .


### member states shall allocate at least 25% of their esf + resources under shared management to the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in points to of article 4 , including the promotion of the socio - economic integration of third country nationals . ### member states shall allocate at least 25% of their esf + resources under shared management to specific objectives for social inclusion across points , , and of article 4 .


### member states shall allocate at least 2% of their esf + resources under shared management to the specific objective of addressing material deprivation set out in point of article 4 . ### member states shall allocate at least 4 % of their esf ± resources under shared management to the specific objective of addressing material deprivation set out in point of article 4 and / or to the specific objective of promoting social inclusion of the most deprived as referred to in point of article 4 .


### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . ### member states shall allocate at least 5% of their resources under shared management to targeted , non - discriminatory , inclusive actions with an effective outreach and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , or whenever their neet rate is above 15% , shall allocate at least 15% of their esf + resources under shared management in the programming period to the above mentioned actions and structural reform measures .


### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . ### member states having a youth unemployment rate and / or rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes .


### when programming the esf + resources under shared management for 2026 and 2027 at mid - term in accordance with article [ 14 ] of [ the future cpr ] , member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2024 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2026 to 2027 to these actions . ### when programming the esf + resources under shared management for 2026 and 2027 at mid - term in accordance with article [ 14 ] of [ the future cpr ] , member states having a youth unemployment rate and / or rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2024 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2026 to 2027 to these actions .


### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes ### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 15% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes .


### when programming the esf + resources under shared management for 2026 and 2027 at mid - term in accordance with article [ 14 ] of [ the future cpr ] , member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2024 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2026 to 2027 to these actions . ### when programming the esf + resources under shared management for 2026 and 2027 at mid - term in accordance with article [ 14 ] of [ the future cpr ] , member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2024 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 15% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2026 to 2027 to these actions . .


### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . ### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 17 , 6 % – representing at least a doubling of the amounts allocated to the youth employment initiative in comparison to the current mff and current 2014 - 2020 programming1a – of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . _______________ 1a eur 9 290 million at 2018 prices .


### member states shall allocate at least 25% of their esf + resources under shared management to the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in points to of article 4 , including the promotion of the socio - economic integration of third country nationals . ### member states shall allocate at least 25% of their esf + resources under shared management , where relevant , to the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in points to of article 4 , including the modernisation of social protection systems and the promotion of the socio - economic integration of third country nationals . member states may use this allocation to address challenges different from unemployment to support anti - poverty measures that go beyond active labour market measures .


### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . ### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment , apprenticeship schemes and school - to - work transition , entrepreneurship , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , with particular reference to the best practices in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes at national and regional level .


### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 10% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes . ### member states having a rate of young people aged 15 to 29 not in employment , education or training above the union average in 2019 on the basis of eurostat data , shall allocate at least 15% of their esf + resources under shared management for the years 2021 to 2025 to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment and school - to - work transition , pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education , with particular reference to young mothers and families in difficulty , in particular in the context of implementing youth guarantee schemes .


### each member state shall ensure adequate participation of social partners and civil society organisations in the delivery of employment , education and social inclusion policies supported by the esf + strand under shared management . ### each member state shall adopt binding rules to ensure adequate participation of social partners and civil society organisations in the delivery of employment , education and social inclusion policies supported by the esf + strand under shared management .


### each member state shall ensure adequate participation of social partners and civil society organisations in the delivery of employment , education and social inclusion policies supported by the esf + strand under shared management . ### member state ' managing authorities , at national and regional level , shall ensure that the participation of regional and local authorities , social and economic partners , civil society organisations and beneficiaries in all stages of the preparation , implementation , monitoring and evaluation under esf + is guaranteed in line with the principles set out in the art . 6 of the common provisions regulation , including the european code of conduct on partnership . this shall apply to delivery of employment , education and social inclusion policies supported by the esf + strand under shared management .


### addressing material deprivation ### addressing material deprivation and social exclusion


### support in accordance with article 7 shall be programmed under a dedicated priority and it shall support the specific objective set out in point of article 4 . ### support in accordance with article 7 shall be programmed under a dedicated priority or programme and it shall support the specific objective set out in point of article - 7 .


### support in accordance with article 7 shall be programmed under a dedicated priority and it shall support the specific objective set out in point of article 4 . ### support in accordance with article 7 shall be programmed under a dedicated priority and it shall support the specific objective set out in point and of article 4 .


### this chapter applies to esf + support under points to of article 4 when implemented under shared management . ### this chapter applies to the support for implementation of specific objectives under points to of article - 7 .


### the purchase of land and real estate , and the provision of infrastructure , and ### the purchase of land , real estate and infrastructure , and


### in addition to the costs referred to in article [ 58 ] of [ the future cpr ] , the following costs are not eligible under the general support of the esf + strand under shared management : ### in addition to the costs referred to in article [ 58 ] of [ the future cpr ] , the following costs are not eligible under points to of article - 7 :


### contributions in kind in the form of allowances or salaries disbursed by a third party for the benefit of the participants in an operation may be eligible for a contribution from the general support of the esf + strand under shared management provided that the contributions in kind are incurred in accordance with national rules , including accountancy rules , and do not exceed the cost borne by the third party . ### contributions in kind in the form of allowances or salaries disbursed by a third party for the benefit of the participants in an operation may be eligible for a contribution under points to of article - 7 provided that the contributions in kind are incurred in accordance with national rules , including accountancy rules , and do not exceed the cost borne by the third party


### the specific additional allocation received by the outermost regions and the nuts level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in article 2 of protocol no 6 to the 1994 act of accession shall be used to support the achievement of the specific objectives set out in paragraph 1 of article 4 . ### the specific additional allocation received by the outermost regions and the nuts level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in article 2 of protocol no 6 to the 1994 act of accession shall be used to support the achievement of the specific objectives set out in paragraph 2 of article - 7 .


### programmes benefitting from the general support of the esf + strand under shared management shall use common output and result indicators , as set out in annex 1 to this regulation to monitor progress in implementation . the programmes may also use programme - specific indicators . ### programmes benefitting from the general support of the esf + strand under shared management shall use common output and result indicators , as set out in annex 1 to this regulation to monitor progress in implementation . the programmes shall also use programme - specific indicators .


### programmes benefitting from the general support of the esf + strand under shared management shall use common output and result indicators , as set out in annex 1 to this regulation to monitor progress in implementation . the programmes may also use programme - specific indicators . ### programmes benefitting from the general support of the esf + strand under shared management shall use common output and result indicators , as set out in annex 1 to this regulation to monitor progress in implementation , with flexibility to adapt those indicators to national , regional and local needs where appropriate . the programmes may also use programme - specific indicators .


### programmes benefitting from the general support of the esf + strand under shared management shall use common output and result indicators , as set out in annex 1 to this regulation to monitor progress in implementation . the programmes may also use programme - specific indicators . ### programmes covering specific objectives under points to of article - 7 shall use common output and result indicators , as set out in annex 1 to this regulation to monitor progress in implementation . the programmes may also use programme - specific indicators .


### member states shall , when data are available in registers or equivalent sources , enable the managing authorities and other bodies entrusted with data collection necessary for the monitoring and the evaluation of the general support of the esf + strand under shared management to obtain those data from data registers or equivalent sources , in accordance with points and of article 6 of regulation 2016 / 679 . ### member states shall , when data are available in registers or equivalent sources , enable the managing authorities and other bodies entrusted with data collection necessary for the monitoring and the evaluation of the progress made towards achieving the specific objectives under points to of article - 7 to obtain those data from data registers or equivalent sources , in accordance with points and of article 6 of regulation 2016 / 679 .


### the commission and the member states shall ensure that aid provided in the framework of the esf + support for addressing material deprivation respects the dignity and prevents stigmatisation of the most deprived persons . ### the commission and the member states shall ensure that aid provided in the framework of the esf + support for addressing material deprivation respects the dignity and prevents stigmatisation of the most deprived persons . such aid shall be developed in a gender - responsive manner to best meet the special needs of women , children and disadvantaged people .


### the costs of purchasing food and / or basic material assistance , including costs related to transporting food and / or basic material assistance to the beneficiaries delivering the food and / or basic material assistance to the end recipients ; ### the costs of purchasing food , promoting local purchasing , and / or basic material assistance , including costs related to transporting food and / or basic material assistance to the beneficiaries delivering the food and / or basic material assistance to the end recipients ;


### the administrative , transport and storage costs borne by the beneficiaries involved in the distribution of the food and / or basic material assistance to the most deprived at a flat - rate of 5% of the costs referred to in point ; or 5% of the costs of the value of the food products disposed of in accordance with article 16 of regulation no 1308 / 2013 ### the administrative , transport and storage costs borne by the beneficiaries involved in the distribution of the food and / or basic material assistance to the most deprived at a flat - rate of 5% of the costs referred to in point ; or 5% of the costs of the value of the food products disposed of in accordance with article 16 of regulation no 1308 / 2013 ; a higher flat rate may be established by the managing authority using a fair , equitable and verifiable calculation method based on : statistical data , other objective information or an expert judgement ; or the verified historical data of individual beneficiaries .


### the cost of collection , transport , storage and distribution of food donations and directly related awareness raising activities ; ### the cost of collection , transport , storage and distribution of food donations and directly related information and awareness raising activities ;


### by 30 june 2025 and 30 june 2028 , managing authorities shall report to the commission the results of a structured survey of the end recipients carried out during the previous year . this survey shall be based on the model which shall be established by the commission by means of an implementing act . ### by 30 june 2025 and 30 june 2028 , managing authorities shall report to the commission the results of a structured anonymous survey of the end recipients carried out during the previous year and focusing on their living conditions and the nature of their material deprivation . this survey shall be based on the model which shall be established by the commission by means of an implementing act .


### audit of operations may cover all stages of its implementation and all levels of the distribution chain , with the sole exception of control of the end recipients , unless a risk assessment establishes a specific risk of irregularity or fraud . ### audit of operations may cover all stages of its implementation and all levels of the distribution chain , with the sole exception of control of the end recipients , unless a risk assessment establishes a specific risk of irregularity or fraud . the audit of operations shall include more controls in the early stages of implementation so that in case of risk of fraud the funds may be re - directed to other projects


### to provide specific support services to employers and job - seekers with a view to the development of integrated european labour markets , ranging from pre - recruitment preparation to post - placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors , professions , countries , border regions or for particular groups ; ### to provide specific support services to employers and job - seekers with a view to the development of integrated european labour markets , ranging from pre - recruitment preparation to post - placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors , with an emphasis on fields with labour shortages , professions , countries , border regions or for particular groups ;


### to support networking at union level and dialogue with and among relevant stakeholders in the fields referred to in article 4 and contribute to build up the institutional capacity of these stakeholders , including the public employment services , social security institutions , microfinance institutions and institutions providing finance to social enterprises and social economy ; ### to support integration and networking at union level , as well as dialogue with and among relevant stakeholders in the fields referred to in article 4 and contribute to build up the institutional capacity of these stakeholders , including the public employment services , social security institutions , microfinance institutions and institutions providing finance to social enterprises and social economy ;


### to develop high - quality comparative analytical knowledge in order to ensure that policies to achieve the specific objectives referred to in article 4 are based on sound evidence and are relevant to needs , challenges and conditions in the associated countries ; ### to develop high - quality comparative analytical knowledge in order to ensure that policies to achieve the general objectives referred to in article 3 are based on sound evidence and are relevant to needs , challenges and conditions in the individual member state and the associated countries ;


### to facilitate effective and inclusive information - sharing , mutual learning , peer reviews and dialogue on policies in the fields referred to in article 4 in order to assist the associated countries in taking appropriate policy measures ; ### to facilitate effective and inclusive information - sharing , mutual learning , peer reviews and dialogue on policies in the fields referred to in article 3 in order to assist the member states and associated countries in taking appropriate policy measures ;


### to provide specific support services to employers and job - seekers with a view to the development of integrated european labour markets , ranging from pre - recruitment preparation to post - placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors , professions , countries , border regions or for particular groups ; ### to develop and provide specific support services to employees , employers and job - seekers with a view to the development of integrated european labour markets , ranging from pre - recruitment preparation to post - placement assistance , to fill vacancies in certain sectors , professions , countries , border regions or for particular groups ;


### to provide specific support services to employers and job - seekers with a view to the development of integrated european labour markets , ranging from pre - recruitment preparation to post - placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors , professions , countries , border regions or for particular groups ; ### to provide specific support services to employers and job - seekers with a view to the development of integrated european labour markets , ranging from pre - recruitment preparation to post - placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors , professions , countries , border regions or for particular groups , especially communities in vulnerable situations ;


### to support the development of the market eco - system related to the provision of microfinance for micro - enterprises in start - up and development phases , in particular those that employ vulnerable people ; ### to support the provision of microfinance for micro - enterprises and social cooperatives in in start - up and development phases , in particular those that employ people in vulnerable situations and those that are run by entrepreneurs coming from a disadvantaged social background ;


### to support networking at union level and dialogue with and among relevant stakeholders in the fields referred to in article 4 and contribute to build up the institutional capacity of these stakeholders , including the public employment services , social security institutions , microfinance institutions and institutions providing finance to social enterprises and social economy ; ### to support networking at union level and dialogue with and among relevant stakeholders in the fields referred to in article 3 and contribute to build up the institutional capacity of these stakeholders , including the public employment services , social security institutions , microfinance institutions and institutions providing finance to social enterprises and social economy ;


### to support the implementation of relevant international social and labour standards in the context of harnessing globalisation and the external dimension of union policies in the fields referred to in article 4 . ### to support the implementation of relevant international social and labour standards in the context of harnessing globalisation and the external dimension of union policies in the fields referred to in article 3 .


### capacity building , in particular : ### integration and capacity building , in particular :


### of participating countries administrations , social security institutions and employment services responsible for promoting labour mobility , of microfinance institutions and of institutions providing finance to social enterprises or other social investment actors , as well as networking ; ### of participating countries administrations , in particular on regional and local level , social security institutions and employment services responsible for promoting labour mobility , of microfinance institutions and of institutions providing finance to social enterprises or other social investment actors , as well as networking ;


### only actions pursuing the objectives referred to in article 3 and 4 shall be eligible for funding . ### only actions pursuing the objectives referred to in article 3 , - 23 and 23 shall be eligible for funding .


### strengthen crisis - preparedness , management and response in the union to protect citizens against cross - border health threats . ### strengthen crisis - preparedness , management and response in the union to address cross - border health threats


### strengthen crisis - preparedness , management and response in the union to protect citizens against cross - border health threats . ### strengthen crisis - preparedness , management and response in the union , including via mixed cross - border response teams , to protect citizens against cross - border health threats .


### support member states with knowledge transfer useful for the national reform processes for more effective , accessible and resilient health systems and better health promotion and disease prevention addressing , in particular , the challenges identified in the european semester ### amendments support member states with knowledge transfer useful for the national and regional reform processes for more effective , accessible and resilient health systems and better health promotion at national , regional and local level and disease prevention addressing , in particular , the challenges identified in the european semester ,


### cross - border collaboration and partnerships , including in cross - border regions ; ### amendments cross - border collaboration and partnerships , including in cross - border and outermost regions ;


### the commission shall consult the health authorities of the member states in the steering group on health promotion , disease prevention and management of non - communicable diseases or in other relevant commission expert group or similar entities on the work plans established for the health strand and its priorities and strategic orientations and its implementation , and also on the health policy perspective of other policies and support mechanisms , thus increasing their overall coordination and added value . ### the commission shall consult the health authorities of the member states in the steering group on health promotion , disease prevention and management of non - communicable diseases or in other relevant commission expert group or similar entities such as professional bodies in the health sector , on the annual work plans established for the health strand and its priorities and strategic orientations and its implementation , and also on the health policy perspective of other policies and support mechanisms , thus increasing their overall coordination and added value . strong political leadership and adequate governance structure dedicated to health will ensure that health protection and promotion is guaranteed across all commission portfolios , according to article 168 of tfeu .


### forms of eu funding and methods of implementation ### forms of eu funding


### the employment and social innovation and health strands may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the financial regulation , in particular grants , prizes , procurement and voluntary payments to international organisations of which the union is a member or in whose work it participates . ### the employment and social innovation and health strands may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the financial regulation , in particular grants , prizes , procurement and contributions to international organisations of which the union is a member or in whose work it participates .


### work programme and coordination ### work programme


### the employment and social innovation strand and health strand shall be implemented by work programmes referred to in article [ 108 ] of financial regulation . work programmes shall set out , where applicable , the overall amount reserved for blending operations . ### the employment and social innovation strand and health strand shall be implemented by work programmes referred to in article [ 110 ] of financial regulation . 2 . the commission shall adopt delegated acts laying down work programmes referred to in paragraph 1 . those delegated acts shall be adopted in accordance with article 38 . 3 . the work programmes shall , where relevant , be for a three - year rolling period and shall contain a description of the actions to be financed , the procedures for selecting actions to be supported by the union , the geographic coverage , the target audience and an indicative implementation time frame . the work programmes shall also include an indication of the amount allocated to each operational objective . 4 . in order to ensure greater transparency and accountability , the competent committee of the european parliament may invite the commission to appear before the committee to discuss a draft work programme referred to in paragraph 1before the adoption of a delegated act by the commission laying down work programme .


### indicators to monitor implementation and progress of the strands towards the achievement of the specific objectives set out in article 4 and the operational objectives set out in articles 23 and 26 shall be set . ### indicators to monitor implementation and progress of the strands towards the achievement of the general objectives set out in article 4 and the operational objectives set out in articles 23 and 26 shall be set .


### evaluations shall be carried out in a sufficiently timely manner to feed into the decision - making process . ### evaluations shall be carried out in a sufficiently timely manner to feed into the decision - making process and shall contain information on performance , union added value and sound financial management .


### the commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations , to the european parliament , the council , the european economic and social committee and the committee of the regions . ### the commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations , accompanied by its observations and by improved qualitative and quantitative information on performance and results against the objectives set , to the european parliament , the council , the european economic and social committee and the committee of the regions .


### the delegation of power referred to in article 15 , article 21 and article 33may be revoked at any time by the european parliament or by the council . a decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision . it shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the official journal of the european union or at a later date specified therein . it shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force . ### the delegation of power referred to in article 15 , article 21 , article 32 and article 33 may be revoked at any time by the european parliament or by the council . a decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision . it shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the official journal of the european union or at a later date specified therein . it shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force .


### each member state shall appoint one government representative , one representative of the workers ' organisations , one representative of the employers ' organisations and one alternate for each member for a maximum period of seven years . in the absence of a member , the alternate shall be automatically entitled to take part in the proceedings . ### each member state shall appoint one government representative , one representative of the workers ' organisations , one representative of the employers ' organisations , one representative of civil society organisations and one alternate for each member for a maximum period of seven years . in the absence of a member , the alternate shall be automatically entitled to take part in the proceedings .


### common indicators for the general support of the esf + strand under shared management ### common indicators for the social cohesion and social rights strand except the support for addressing material deprivation


### the general objective of the programme shall be to contribute to institutional , administrative and growth - sustaining structural reforms in the member states by providing support to national authorities for measures aimed at reforming and strengthening institutions , governance , public administration , and economic and social sectors in response to economic and social challenges , with a view to enhancing cohesion , competitiveness , productivity , sustainable growth , job creation , and investment , which will also prepare for participation in the euro area , in particular in the context of economic governance processes , including through assistance for the efficient , effective and transparent use of the union funds . ; ### the general objective of the programme shall be to contribute to institutional , administrative and growth - sustaining structural reforms in the member states by providing support to national authorities for measures aimed at reforming and strengthening institutions , governance , public administration , and economic and social sectors in response to economic and social challenges , with a view to enhancing cohesion , competitiveness , productivity , sustainable growth , financial stability , quality job creation , and investment , which will also prepare for participation in the euro area , in particular in the context of economic governance processes , including through assistance for the efficient , effective and transparent use of the union funds . ;


### the financial envelope for the implementation of the programme is set at eur 222 800 000 in current prices . ; ### the financial envelope for the implementation of the programme is set at eur 222 800 000 in current prices . any increase to the programme shall be financed by the mobilisation of the special instruments as provided for in council regulation no 1311 / 2013 of 2 december 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014 - 20201a and not at the expense of existing union programmes . ; _________________ 1a oj l 347 , 20 . 12 . 2013 , p . 884 .


### in order to help reduce the risk of a large - scale irregular inflow of third - country nationals and stateless persons to the territory of the member states , show solidarity with countries in regions to which or within which a large number of persons in need of international protection has been displaced by helping to alleviate the pressure on those countries , and help achieve the union ' s foreign policy objectives , the regions or third countries from which resettlement is to occur should fit in a tailored engagement with third countries to better manage migration as foreseen in the commission ' s communication of 7 june 2016 on establishing a new partnership framework with third countries under the european agenda on migration32 . _________________ 32 com 377 final . ### in order to help reduce the risk of a large - scale inflow of third - country nationals and stateless persons to the territory of the member states , show solidarity with countries in regions to which a large number of persons in need of international protection has been displaced by helping to alleviate the pressure on those countries , and help achieve the union ' s objectives in the area of migration and crisis management protection to those who need it should be offered and incentives for resorting to irregular means for obtaining it should be reduced .


### the following third - country nationals or stateless persons shall be eligible for targeted union resettlement schemes established in accordance with article 8 : ### the following third - country nationals or stateless persons shall be eligible for targeted union resettlement schemes established in accordance with article 8 and after security checks have been carried out :


### third - country nationals , who , owing to a well - founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race , religion , nationality , political opinion or membership of a particular social group , are outside the country of nationality or the part of that country in which they formerly habitually resided , and are unable or , owing to such fear , are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country , or stateless persons , who , being outside of the country of former habitual residence or of the part of that country in which they formerly habitually resided , for the same reasons as mentioned above , are unable or , owing to such fear , unwilling to return to or stay in it , or , failing that , ### third - country nationals , who , owing to a well - founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race , religion , nationality , political opinion or membership of a particular social group , are outside the country of nationality and are unable or , owing to such fear , are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country , or stateless persons , who , being outside of the country of former habitual residence for the same reasons as mentioned above , are unable or , owing to such fear , unwilling to return to , or , failing that ,


### third - country nationals , who are outside the country of nationality or the part of that country in which they formerly habitually resided , or stateless persons , who are outside of the country of former habitual residence or of the part of that country in which they formerly habitually resided , and in respect of whom substantial grounds have been shown for believing that they , if returned to or staying in their country of origin or former habitual residence , would face a real risk of suffering serious harm , and are unable , or , owing to such risk , are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country ; ### third - country nationals who are outside the country of nationality or stateless persons , who are outside of the country of former habitual residence , and in respect of whom substantial grounds have been shown for believing that they , if returned to their country of origin or former habitual residence , would face a real risk of suffering serious harm , and are unable , or , owing to such risk , are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country ;


### third - country nationals , who are outside the country of nationality or the part of that country in which they formerly habitually resided , or stateless persons , who are outside of the country of former habitual residence or of the part of that country in which they formerly habitually resided , and in respect of whom substantial grounds have been shown for believing that they , if returned to or staying in their country of origin or former habitual residence , would face a real risk of suffering serious harm , and are unable , or , owing to such risk , are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country ; ### third - country nationals , who are outside the country of nationality or stateless persons , who are outside of the country of former habitual residence and in respect of whom substantial grounds have been shown for believing that they , if returned to or their country of origin or former habitual residence , would face a real risk of suffering serious harm , and are unable , or , owing to such risk , are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country ;


### family links with third - country nationals or stateless persons or union citizens legally residing in a member state ; ### family links with third - country nationals or stateless persons or union citizens legally residing in a member state but not eligible for family reunification under council directive 2003 / 86 / ec1a ; _________________ 1a council directive 2003 / 86 / ec of 22 september 2003 on the right to family reunification .


### directive 98 / 83 / ec set the legal framework to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean . this directive should pursue the same objective . to that end , it is necessary to lay down at union level the minimum requirements with which water intended for that purpose must comply . member states should take the necessary measures to ensure that water intended for human consumption is free from any micro - organisms and parasites and from substances which , in certain cases , constitute a potential danger to human health , and that it meets those minimum requirements . ### directive 98 / 83 / ec set the legal framework to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean . this directive should pursue the same objective . to that end , it is necessary to lay down at union level the minimum requirements with which water intended for that purpose must comply . member states should take all necessary measures to ensure that water intended for human consumption is free from any micro - organisms and parasites and from substances which , in certain cases , constitute a potential danger to human health , and that it meets those minimum requirements .


### it is necessary to exclude from the scope of this directive natural mineral waters and waters which are medicinal products , since these waters are respectively covered by directive 2009 / 54 / ec of the european parliament and of the council68 and directive 2001 / 83 / ec of the european parliament and of the council69 . however , directive 2009 / 54 / ec deals with both natural mineral waters and spring waters , and only the former category should be exempted from the scope of this directive . in accordance with the third subparagraph of article 9 of directive 2009 / 54 / ec , spring waters should comply with the provisions of this directive . in the case of water intended for human consumption put into bottles or containers intended for sale or used in the manufacture , preparation or treatment of food , the water should comply with the provisions of this directive until the point of compliance , and should afterwards be considered as food , in accordance with the second subparagraph of article 2 of regulation no 178 / 2002 of the european parliament and of the council70 . _________________ 68 directive 2009 / 54 / ec of the european parliament and of the council of 18 june 2009 on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters . 69 directive 2001 / 83 / ec of the european parliament and of the council of 6 november 2001 on the community code relating to medicinal products for human use . 70 regulation no 178 / 2002 of the european parliament and of the council of 28 january 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law , establishing the european food safety authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety . ### it is necessary to exclude from the scope of this directive natural mineral waters and waters which are medicinal products , since these waters are respectively covered by directive 2009 / 54 / ec of the european parliament and of the council68 and directive 2001 / 83 / ec of the european parliament and of the council69 . however , directive 2009 / 54 / ec deals with both natural mineral waters and spring waters , and only the former category should be exempted from the scope of this directive . in accordance with the third subparagraph of article 9 of directive 2009 / 54 / ec , spring waters should comply with the provisions of this directive . in the case of water intended for human consumption put into bottles or containers intended for sale or used in the manufacture , preparation or treatment of food , the water should comply with the provisions of this directive until the point of compliance , and should afterwards be considered as food , in accordance with the second subparagraph of article 2 of regulation no 178 / 2002 of the european parliament and of the council70 . where applicable food safety requirements are met , national authorities should have the power to authorise the reuse of water in food processing industries . _________________ 68 directive 2009 / 54 / ec of the european parliament and of the council of 18 june 2009 on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters . 69 directive 2001 / 83 / ec of the european parliament and of the council of 6 november 2001 on the community code relating to medicinal products for human use . 70 regulation no 178 / 2002 of the european parliament and of the council of 28 january 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law , establishing the european food safety authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety .


### following the conclusion of the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water 71 , a union - wide public consultation was launched and a regulatory fitness and performance evaluation of directive 98 / 83 / ec was performed72 . it became apparent from that exercise that certain provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec needed to be updated . four areas were identified as offering scope for improvement , namely the list of quality - based parametric values , the limited reliance on a risk - based approach , the imprecise provisions on consumer information , and the disparities between approval systems for materials in contact with water intended for human consumption . in addition , the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water identified as a distinct problem the fact that part of the population , especially marginalised groups , has no access to water intended for human consumption , which is also a commitment under sustainable development goal 6 of un agenda 2030 . a final issue identified is the general lack of awareness of water leakages , which are driven by underinvestment in maintenance and renewal of the water infrastructure , as also pointed out in the european court of auditors ' special report on water infrastructure73 . _________________ 71 com 177 final 72 swd 428 final 73 special report of the european court of auditors sr 12 / 2017 : ' implementing the drinking water directive : water quality and access to it improved in bulgaria , hungary and romania , but investment needs remains substantial ' . ### following the conclusion of the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water 71 , a union - wide public consultation was launched and a regulatory fitness and performance evaluation of directive 98 / 83 / ec was performed72 . it became apparent from that exercise that certain provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec needed to be updated . four areas were identified as offering scope for improvement , namely the list of quality - based parametric values , the inconsistent application of a risk - based approach , the imprecise provisions on consumer information , and the disparities between approval systems for materials in contact with water intended for human consumption and the implications this has for human health . in addition , the european citizens ' initiative on the right to water identified as a distinct problem the fact that part of the population - especially amongst vulnerable and marginalised groups - has no access to water intended for human consumption , which is inconsistent with the recognition that access to water is a basic right essential for the realisation of all human rights . it is also inconsistent with a commitment made under sustainable development goal 6 of un agenda 2030 . a final issue identified is the general lack of awareness of water leakages , which are driven by underinvestment in maintenance and renewal of the water infrastructure , as also pointed out in the european court of auditors ' special report on water infrastructure73 . _________________ 71 com 177 final 72 swd 428 final 73 special report of the european court of auditors sr 12 / 2017 : ' implementing the drinking water directive : water quality and access to it improved in bulgaria , hungary and romania , but investment needs remains substantial ' .


### where necessary to protect human health within their territories , member states should be required to set values for additional parameters not included in annex i . ### where necessary to protect human health within their territories , member states should set values for additional parameters not included in annex i in line with the full application of the precautionary principle . member states should take such measures in cooperation with public health and environmental stakeholders , as well as with those responsible for the relevant sources or potential sources of pollution .


### preventive safety planning and risk - based elements were only considered to a limited extent in directive 98 / 83 / ec . the first elements of a risk - based approach were already introduced in 2015 with directive 2015 / 1787 , which amended directive 98 / 83 / ec so as to allow member states to derogate from the monitoring programmes they have established , provided credible risk assessments are performed , which may be based on the who’s guidelines for drinking water quality76 . those guidelines , laying down the so - called ' water safety plan ' approach , together with standard en 15975 - 2 concerning security of drinking water supply , are internationally recognised principles on which the production , distribution , monitoring and analysis of parameters in water intended for human consumption are based . they should be maintained in this directive . to ensure that those principles are not limited to monitoring aspects , to focus time and resources on risks that matter and on cost - effective source measures , and to avoid analyses and efforts on non - relevant issues , it is appropriate to introduce a complete risk - based approach , throughout the supply chain , from the abstraction area to distribution until the tap . that approach should consist of three components : first , an assessment by the member state of the hazards associated with the abstraction area , in line with the who’s guidelines and water safety plan manual77 ; second , a possibility for the water supplier to adapt monitoring to the main risks ; and third , an assessment by the member state of the possible risks stemming from the domestic distribution systems . those assessments should be regularly reviewed , inter alia , in response to threats from climate - related extreme weather events , known changes of human activity in the abstraction area or in response to source - related incidents . the risk - based approach ensures a continuous exchange of information between competent authorities and water suppliers . _________________ 76 guidelines for drinking water quality , fourth edition , world health organisation , 2011 http : / / www . who . int / water_sanitation_health / publications / 2011 / dwq_guidelines / en / index . html 77 water safety plan manual : step - by - step risk management for drinking water suppliers , world health organisation , 2009 , http : / / apps . who . int / iris / bitstream / 10665 / 75141 / 1 / 9789241562638_eng . pdf ### preventive safety planning and risk - based elements were only considered to a limited extent in directive 98 / 83 / ec . the first elements of a risk - based approach were already introduced in 2015 with directive 2015 / 1787 , which amended directive 98 / 83 / ec so as to allow member states to derogate from the monitoring programmes they have established , provided credible risk assessments are performed , which may be based on the who’s guidelines for drinking water quality16 . those guidelines , laying down the so - called ' water safety plan ' approach , together with standard en 15975 - 2 concerning security of drinking water supply , are internationally recognised principles on which the production , distribution , monitoring and analysis of parameters in water intended for human consumption are based . they should be maintained in this directive . to ensure that those principles are not limited to monitoring aspects , to focus time and resources on risks that matter and on cost - effective source measures , and to avoid analyses and efforts on non - relevant issues , it is appropriate to introduce a complete risk - based approach , throughout the supply chain , from the abstraction area to distribution until the tap . that approach should be based on the knowledge gained and actions carried out under directive 2000 / 60 / ec and should more effectively factor in the impact of climate change on water resources . a risk - based approach should consist of three components : first , an assessment by the member state of the risks associated with the abstraction area , in line with the who’s guidelines and water safety plan manual17 ; second , a possibility for the water supplier to adapt monitoring to the main risks ; and third , an assessment by the member state of the possible risks stemming from internal distribution systems , with special focus on priority premises . those assessments should be regularly reviewed , inter alia , in response to threats from climate - related extreme weather events , known changes of human activity in the abstraction area or in response to source - related incidents . the risk - based approach ensures a continuous exchange of information between competent authorities , stakeholders responsible for pollution or risks of pollution and water suppliers .


### preventive safety planning and risk - based elements were only considered to a limited extent in directive 98 / 83 / ec . the first elements of a risk - based approach were already introduced in 2015 with directive 2015 / 1787 , which amended directive 98 / 83 / ec so as to allow member states to derogate from the monitoring programmes they have established , provided credible risk assessments are performed , which may be based on the who’s guidelines for drinking water quality76 . those guidelines , laying down the so - called ' water safety plan ' approach , together with standard en 15975 - 2 concerning security of drinking water supply , are internationally recognised principles on which the production , distribution , monitoring and analysis of parameters in water intended for human consumption are based . they should be maintained in this directive . to ensure that those principles are not limited to monitoring aspects , to focus time and resources on risks that matter and on cost - effective source measures , and to avoid analyses and efforts on non - relevant issues , it is appropriate to introduce a complete risk - based approach , throughout the supply chain , from the abstraction area to distribution until the tap . that approach should consist of three components : first , an assessment by the member state of the hazards associated with the abstraction area , in line with the who’s guidelines and water safety plan manual77 ; second , a possibility for the water supplier to adapt monitoring to the main risks ; and third , an assessment by the member state of the possible risks stemming from the domestic distribution systems . those assessments should be regularly reviewed , inter alia , in response to threats from climate - related extreme weather events , known changes of human activity in the abstraction area or in response to source - related incidents . the risk - based approach ensures a continuous exchange of information between competent authorities and water suppliers . _________________ 76 guidelines for drinking water quality , fourth edition , world health organisation , 2011 http : / / www . who . int / water_sanitation_health / publications / 2011 / dwq_guidelines / en / index . html 77 water safety plan manual : step - by - step risk management for drinking water suppliers , world health organisation , 2009 , http : / / apps . who . int / iris / bitstream / 10665 / 75141 / 1 / 9789241562638_eng . pdf ### preventive safety planning and risk - based elements were only considered to a limited extent in directive 98 / 83 / ec . the first elements of a risk - based approach were already introduced in 2015 with directive 2015 / 1787 , which amended directive 98 / 83 / ec so as to allow member states to derogate from the monitoring programmes they have established , provided credible risk assessments are performed , which may be based on the who’s guidelines for drinking water quality76 . those guidelines , laying down the so - called ' water safety plan ' approach , together with standard en 15975 - 2 concerning security of drinking water supply , are internationally recognised principles on which the production , distribution , monitoring and analysis of parameters in water intended for human consumption are based . they should be maintained in this directive . to ensure that those principles are not limited to monitoring aspects , to focus time and resources on risks that matter and on cost - effective source measures , and to avoid analyses and efforts on non - relevant issues , it is appropriate to introduce a complete risk - based approach , throughout the supply chain , from the abstraction area to distribution until the tap . that approach should consist of three components : first , an assessment by the member state of all potential hazards associated with the abstraction area , in line with the who’s guidelines and water safety plan manual77 ; second , a possibility for the water supplier to adapt monitoring to the main risks ; and third , an assessment by the member state of the possible risks stemming from the domestic distribution systems . those assessments should be regularly reviewed , inter alia , in response to threats from climate - related extreme weather events , known changes of human activity in the abstraction area or in response to source - related incidents . the risk - based approach should be founded upon a continuous exchange of information between competent authorities , public health and environmental stakeholders , those responsible for pollution sources , as well as water suppliers . _________________ 76 guidelines for drinking water quality , fourth edition , world health organisation , 2011 http : / / www . who . int / water_sanitation_health / publications / 2011 / dwq_guidelines / en / index . html 77 water safety plan manual : step - by - step risk management for drinking water suppliers , world health organisation , 2009 , http : / / apps . who . int / iris / bitstream / 10665 / 75141 / 1 / 9789241562638_eng . pdf


### the hazard assessment should be geared towards reducing the level of treatment required for the production of water intended for human consumption , for instance by reducing the pressures causing the pollution of water bodies used for abstraction of water intended for human consumption . to that end , member states should identify hazards and possible pollution sources associated with those water bodies and monitor pollutants which they identify as relevant , for instance because of the hazards identified , because of their natural presence in the abstraction area , or because of information from the water suppliers . those parameters should be used as markers that trigger action by competent authorities to reduce the pressure on the water bodies , such as prevention or mitigating measures , to protect those water bodies and address the pollution source , in cooperation with water suppliers and stakeholders . _________________ 78 directive 2000 / 60 / ec of the european parliament and of the council of 23 october 2000 establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy . ### the hazard assessment should take a holistic approach to risk assessment , founded on the explicit aim of reducing the level of treatment required for the production of water intended for human consumption , primarily via preventative measures which reduce the pressures causing the pollution - or risks of pollution - of water bodies used for abstraction of water intended for human consumption . to that end , member states should identify hazards and all possible pollution sources associated with those water bodies and monitor pollutants which they identify as relevant , for instance because of the hazards identified , because of their natural presence in the abstraction area , or because of information from the water suppliers . in line with directive 2000 / 60 / ce , those parameters should be used as markers that trigger action by competent authorities to reduce the pressure on the water bodies , such as prevention or mitigating measures , to protect those water bodies and address the pollution source , in cooperation with water suppliers public health and environmental stakeholders , as well as those responsible for pollutant or potential pollutant sources . _________________ 78 directive 2000 / 60 / ec of the european parliament and of the council of 23 october 2000 establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy .


### the provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec on quality assurance of treatment , equipment and materials did not succeed in addressing obstacles to the internal market when it comes to the free circulation of construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption . national product approvals are still in place , with different requirements from one member state to another . this renders it difficult and costly for manufacturers to market their products all over the union . the removal of technical barriers may only be effectively achieved by establishing harmonised technical specifications for construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption under regulation no 305 / 2011 . that regulation allows for the development of european standards harmonising the assessment methods for construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption and for threshold levels and classes to be set in relation to the performance level of an essential characteristic . to that end , a standardisation request specifically requiring standardisation work on hygiene and safety for products and materials in contact with water intended for human consumption under regulation no 305 / 2011 has been included in the 2017 standardisation work programme82 , and a standard is to be issued by 2018 . the publication of this harmonised standard in the official journal of the european union will ensure a rational decision - making for placing or making available on the market safe construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption . as a consequence , the provisions on equipment and material in contact with water intended for human consumption should be deleted , partly replaced by provisions related to the domestic distribution risk assessment and complemented by relevant harmonised standards under regulation no 305 / 2011 . _________________ 82 swd 185 final ### the provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec on quality assurance of treatment , equipment and materials did not succeed in addressing obstacles to the internal market when it comes to the free circulation of construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption . national product approvals are still in place , with different requirements from one member state to another . this renders it difficult and costly for manufacturers to market their products all over the union . that situation stems from the fact that there are no minimum eu hygiene standards for all products and materials in contact with water intended for human consumption , that being essential for fully ensuring mutual recognition between member states . the removal of technical barriers and conformity of all products and materials in contact with water intended for human consumption at union level may therefore only be effectively achieved by establishing minimum quality requirements at union level . as a consequence , those provisions should be strengthened by means of a procedure for harmonisation of such products and materials . that work should draw on the experience gained and advances made by a number of member states that have been working together for some years , in a concerted effort , to bring about regulatory convergence in this connection .


### the provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec on quality assurance of treatment , equipment and materials did not succeed in addressing obstacles to the internal market when it comes to the free circulation of construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption . national product approvals are still in place , with different requirements from one member state to another . this renders it difficult and costly for manufacturers to market their products all over the union . the removal of technical barriers may only be effectively achieved by establishing harmonised technical specifications for construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption under regulation no 305 / 2011 . that regulation allows for the development of european standards harmonising the assessment methods for construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption and for threshold levels and classes to be set in relation to the performance level of an essential characteristic . to that end , a standardisation request specifically requiring standardisation work on hygiene and safety for products and materials in contact with water intended for human consumption under regulation no 305 / 2011 has been included in the 2017 standardisation work programme82 , and a standard is to be issued by 2018 . the publication of this harmonised standard in the official journal of the european union will ensure a rational decision - making for placing or making available on the market safe construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption . as a consequence , the provisions on equipment and material in contact with water intended for human consumption should be deleted , partly replaced by provisions related to the domestic distribution risk assessment and complemented by relevant harmonised standards under regulation no 305 / 2011 . _________________ 82 swd 185 final ### the provisions of directive 98 / 83 / ec on quality assurance of treatment , equipment and materials did not succeed in addressing obstacles to the internal market when it comes to the free circulation of construction products in contact with water intended for human consumption or providing sufficient protections with regard to human health . national product approvals are still in place , with different requirements from one member state to another . this renders it difficult and costly for manufacturers to market their products all over the union and has serious implications in terms of ensuring satisfactory minimum standards of protection for human health . this situation stems from the fact that there are currently no minimum european hygiene standards for all products and materials in contact with water intended for human consumption , that being essential for fully ensuring mutual recognition between member states . the removal of technical barriers and conformity of all products and materials in contact with water intended for human consumption at union level may therefore only be effectively achieved by establishing minimum quality requirements at union level . as a consequence , those provisions should be strengthened by means of a procedure for harmonisation of such products and materials . that work should draw on the experience gained and advances made by a number of member states that have been working together for some years , in a concerted effort , to bring about regulatory convergence .


### each member state should ensure that monitoring programmes are established to check that water intended for human consumption meets the requirements of this directive . most of the monitoring carried out for the purposes of this directive is performed by water suppliers . a certain flexibility should be granted to water suppliers as regards the parameters they monitor for the purposes of the supply risk assessment . if a parameter is not detected , water suppliers should be able to decrease the monitoring frequency or stop monitoring that parameter altogether . the supply risk assessment should be applied to most parameters . however , a core list of parameters should always be monitored with a certain minimum frequency . this directive mainly sets provisions on monitoring frequency for the purposes of compliance checks and only limited provisions on monitoring for operational purposes . additional monitoring for operational purposes may be necessary to ensure the correct functioning of water treatment , at the discretion of water suppliers . in that regard , the water suppliers may refer to the who ' s guidelines and water safety plan manual . ### each member state should ensure that monitoring programmes are established to check that water intended for human consumption meets the requirements of this directive . most of the monitoring carried out for the purposes of this directive is performed by water suppliers , but where necessary , member states should clarify where the obligations stemming from the transposition of this directive lie amongst competent authorities . a certain flexibility should be granted to water suppliers as regards the parameters they monitor for the purposes of the supply risk assessment . if a parameter is not detected , water suppliers should be able to decrease the monitoring frequency or stop monitoring that parameter altogether . the supply risk assessment should be applied to most parameters . however , a core list of parameters should always be monitored with a certain minimum frequency . this directive mainly sets provisions on monitoring frequency for the purposes of compliance checks and only limited provisions on monitoring for operational purposes . additional monitoring for operational purposes may be necessary to ensure the correct functioning of water treatment , at the discretion of water suppliers . in that regard , the water suppliers may refer to the who ' s guidelines and water safety plan manual .


### the commission , in its reply to the european citizens’ initiative ‘ right2water’ in 201483 , invited member states to ensure access to a minimum water supply for all citizens , in accordance with the who recommendations . it also committed to continue to ' improve access to safe drinking water [ … ] for the whole population through environmental policies ' 84 . this is in line with un sustainable development goal 6 and the associated target to ' achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all ' . the concept of equitable access covers a wide array of aspects such as availability , quality , acceptability , or financial affordability . concerning affordability of water , it is important to recall that , when setting water tariffs in accordance with the principle of recovery of costs set out in directive 2000 / 60 / ec , member states may have regard to the variation in the economic and social conditions of the population and may therefore adopt social tariffs or take measures safeguarding populations at a socio - economic disadvantage . this directive deals , in particular , with the aspects of access to water which are related to quality and availability . to address those aspects , as part of the reply to the european citizens ' initiative and to contribute to the implementation of principle 20 of the european pillar of social rights85 that states that ' everyone has the right to access essential services of good quality , including water ' , member states should be required to tackle the issue of access to water at national level whilst enjoying some discretion as to the exact type of measures to be implemented . this can be done through actions aimed , inter alia , at improving access to water intended for human consumption for all , for instance with freely accessible fountains in cities , and promoting its use by encouraging the free provision of water intended for human consumption in public buildings and restaurants . _________________ 83 com177 final 84 com177 final , p . 12 . 85 interinstitutional proclamation on the european pillar of social rights of 17 november 2017 . ### the commission , in its reply to the european citizens’ initiative ‘ right2water’ in 201483 , invited member states to ensure access to a minimum water supply for all citizens , in accordance with the who recommendations . it also committed to continue to ' improve access to safe drinking water [ … ] for the whole population through environmental policies ' 84 . this is in line with articles 1 and 2 of the charter of fundamental rights of the european union . it is also founded upon principle 20 of the european pillar of social rights and un general assembly resolutions no 64 / 292 and no 68 / 157 , which explicitly recognise that access to drinking water is a basic right essential for the realisation of all human rights . this is also in line with un sustainable development goal 6 and the associated target to ' achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all ' . the concept of equitable access covers a wide array of aspects such as obstacles of geography , financial affordability , or a lack of infrastructure for certain parts of the populations , as well as quality and acceptability . concerning financial affordability of water , it is important to recall that , when setting water tariffs in accordance with the principle of recovery of costs and the polluter pays principle set out in directive 2000 / 60 / ec , member states should have regard to the variation in the economic and social conditions of the population and should either adopt social tariffs or take alternative measures to safeguard populations at a socio - economic disadvantage , such as through the provision of water banks , minimum water quotas or water solidarity funds . this directive deals with the aspects of access to water which are related to quality and accessibility . to address those aspects , as part of the reply to the european citizens ' initiative and to contribute to the implementation of principle 20 of the european pillar of social rights85 that states that ' everyone has the right to access essential services of good quality , including water ' , member states should be required to tackle the issue of universal access to water at national level whilst enjoying some discretion as to the exact type of measures to be implemented . this can be done through actions aimed , inter alia , at improving access to water intended for human consumption for all , for instance by ensuring a sufficient number of freely accessible designated refill points in cities and towns and at promoting its use by awareness raising campaigns for the general public of the location of these refill points ; at encouraging the free provision of water intended for human consumption in public buildings , restaurants , shopping and recreational centres , as well as , in particular , areas of transit and large footfall such as at train stations and airports . _________________ 83 com177 final 84 com177 final , p . 12 . 85 interinstitutional proclamation on the european pillar of social rights of 17 november 2017 .