# Commission Decision of 20 September 2013 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of            the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise            and repealing Decision 2008/915/EC (notified under document C(2013) 5915) (Text with EEA relevance) (2013/480/EU) (repealed)         

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U.K.

# Commission Decision

# of 20 September 2013

# establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State                        monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Decision 2008/915/EC                     

# (notified under document C(2013) 5915)

# (Text with EEA relevance)

# (2013/480/EU) (repealed)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to 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(1), and in particular Section 1.4.1(ix) of Annex V thereof,                        

Whereas:

(1)Article 4(1)(a)(ii) of Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of surface                              water with the aim of achieving good surface water status at the latest 15 years after the date of entry into force of the                              Directive, subject to certain derogations in accordance with the provisions laid down in Annex V thereto. Article 4(1)(a)(iii)                              of Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to protect and enhance all artificial and heavily modified bodies of water,                              with the aim of achieving good ecological potential and good surface water chemical status at the latest 15 years from the                              date of entry into force of the Directive, subject to certain derogations, in accordance with the provisions laid down in                              Annex V thereto. In accordance with Section 1.4.1(i) of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC the references to ecological status                              should be construed as references to ecological potential as regards artificial and heavily modified water bodies.

(2)The intercalibration exercise envisages a harmonised approach to define one of the main environmental objectives of Directive                              2000/60/EC, namely good ecological status.

(3)Section 1.4.1 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC provides a process to ensure the comparability between the biological monitoring                              results of Member States as a central part of the ecological status classification. This requires the Member States’ biological                              monitoring results and their monitoring system classifications to be compared through an intercalibration network comprised                              of monitoring sites in each Member State and in each ecoregion of the Union. Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States                              to collect, as appropriate, the necessary information for the sites included in the intercalibration network, in order to                              enable the assessment of the consistency of the national monitoring system classifications with the normative definitions                              of Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC and the comparability of the results of monitoring system classifications                              between the Member States.

(4)In order to carry out the intercalibration exercise Member States are organised in Geographical Intercalibration Groups, consisting                              of Member States sharing particular surface water body types, as defined in Section 2 of the Annex to Commission Decision                              2005/646/EC of 17 August 2005 on the establishment of a register of sites to form the intercalibration network in accordance                              with Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(2).

(5)Section 1.4.1 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC specifies that the intercalibration exercise is to be carried out at biological                              element level, comparing the classification results of the national monitoring system for each biological element and for                              each common surface water body type among Member States in the same Geographical Intercalibration Group, and assessing the                              consistency of the results with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC.

(6)The Commission has facilitated two phases of the intercalibration exercise through the Institute of Environment and Sustainability                              of the Joint Research Centre.

(7)Under the Water Framework Directive Common Implementation Strategy three Guidance Documents (No 6(3) and 14 (two versions)(4)) were prepared to facilitate the intercalibration process. They provided an overview of the key principles of the intercalibration                              process and the options for carrying out the exercise including timescales and reporting requirements.

(8)By 2007 the Commission had received intercalibration results for a number of biological quality elements. They were included                              in Commission Decision 2008/915/EC of 30 October 2008 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament                              and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise(5), which sets out the values of the boundaries between classes that Member States should use in their national monitoring system                              classifications. The results of the first phase of the intercalibration exercise were incomplete, in so far as not all biological                              quality elements were covered. It was necessary however to adopt the available results of the intercalibration exercise to                              inform the development of the first river basin management plans and programmes of measures in accordance with Articles 11                              and 13 of Directive 2000/60/EC.

(9)The results of this first phase of the intercalibration exercise were adopted in Decision 2008/915/EC. Those results were                              included on a provisional basis with an understanding that further results would be subject to a new Decision when the relevant                              information in accordance with Section 1.4.1 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC would have been provided by the Member States.

(10)In order to close the gaps and improve the comparability of the intercalibration results in time for the second river basin                              management plans due in 2015, the Commission initiated a second phase of the intercalibration exercise.

(11)Annex I to this Decision sets out the results of the intercalibration exercise for which intercalibration is successfully                              achieved, within the limits of what is technically feasible at this point in time.

(12)Annex II to this Decision sets out the results of the intercalibration exercise for which intercalibration is partially achieved.                              The completion of all the necessary steps in the intercalibration exercise should be carried out in order for the results                              to be included in a new Decision. Accordingly, those results are provisional.

(13)Member States should complete the intercalibration exercise by 22 December 2016 to allow the Commission to move the results                              contained in Annexes I and II of this Decision to a sole Annex of a new Decision. This will allow for these results to be                              used in the third river basin planning cycle.

(14)The completion of all the necessary steps in the intercalibration exercise should also be carried out by 22 December 2016                              for those Geographical Intercalibration Groups and biological quality elements where there are as yet no intercalibration                              results for inclusion in this Decision. This will also allow for these results to be included in a new Decision and to be                              used in the third river basin planning cycle.

(15)While Directive 2000/60/EC requires that intercalibration is to be carried out at biological quality element level, single                              parameters (e.g. chlorophyll –a concentration, or depth limits of macroalgae and angiosperms) are in some cases considered                              to be representative for a full biological quality element. In such cases, the results of the intercalibration exercise are                              set out in Annex I.

(16)There are cases where Member States have developed independent methods covering only a part of a biological quality element                              (e.g. independent method for macrophytes and phytobenthos for the quality element ‘macrophytes and phytobenthos’). In cases                              where intercalibration for such sub- biological quality elements has been successfully completed the results of the intercalibration                              exercise are included in the Annexes and identified as a sub biological quality element.

(17)The results of the intercalibration exercise should refer to the ecological status of water bodies. If water bodies corresponding                              to the intercalibrated types are designated as heavily modified water bodies in accordance with Article 4(3) of Directive                              2000/60/EC, the results presented in Annex I and II to this Decision could be used to derive their good ecological potential,                              taking into account their physical modifications and their associated water use in accordance with the normative definitions                              in Section 1.2.5 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC.

(18)Member States should apply the results of the intercalibration exercise to their national classification systems in order                              to set the boundaries between high and good status and between good and moderate status for all their national types.

(19)The information that is made available through the establishment of the monitoring programmes provided for in Article 8 of                              Directive 2000/60/EC and the review and update of the characteristics of river basin districts provided for in Article 5 of                              Directive 2000/60/EC could bring new evidence that may lead to the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the                              Member States’ monitoring and classification systems and eventually to a review of the results of the intercalibration exercise                              in order to improve their quality.

(20)Decision 2008/915/EC should therefore be repealed and replaced accordingly.

(21)The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 21(1)                              of Directive 2000/60/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

# Article 1U.K.

1.For the purposes of section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States shall use in their monitoring systems                        classification the values of the boundaries between classes that are set out in Annex I and II to this Decision.                  

2.Member States shall complete all the necessary steps in the intercalibration exercise for the results included in Annex II                        to this Decision by 22 December 2016.                  

# Article 2U.K.

Decision 2008/915/EC is repealed.

# Article 3U.K.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 20 September 2013.

*For the Commission*                            

Janez Potočnik                            

*Member of the Commission*                            

## ANNEX IU.K.

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: AlpineU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia

:

Austria, France, Italy, Spain

#### ALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated**

#### ALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: PhytobenthosU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated**

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Central/BalticU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United                        Kingdom                     

:

Spain, France, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom

:

Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, France, Latvia, Luxembourg, United                        Kingdom                     

:

Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania,                        Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom                     

:

Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland. Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands,                        Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom                     

:

Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom

#### CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element:** Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification system intercalibrated**U.K.

The following results apply to all types as described above.

#### CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: MacrophytesU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification system intercalibrated**

#### CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: PhytobenthosU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification system intercalibrated**

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Eastern ContinentalU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia

:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia

:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia

:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia

:

Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia

:

Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia

:

Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia

:

Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia

:

Slovenia

:

Bulgaria, Slovenia

#### EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated**

#### EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: MacrophytesU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated**

#### EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: PhytobenthosU.K.

##### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated**

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: MediterraneanU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

:

France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

:

France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

:

Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain

:

Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

#### MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: MacrophytesU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: PhytobenthosU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: NorthernU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

:

Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

:

Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

:

Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

#### NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for organic enrichment and general degradation)U.K.

**Results**: ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The following results apply to all types as described above

#### NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for acidification)U.K.

**Results**: ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The following results apply to clear, low alkalinity river types

**Results**: ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The following results apply to humic, low alkalinity river types

#### NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: PhytobenthosU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The following results apply to all types as described above

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversU.K.GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPS: AllU.K.BIOLOGICAL QUALITY ELEMENT: Fish faunaU.K.

Overview of regional groups that have been established for the river fish intercalibration:

–

Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), France, Germany, Netherlands, Lithuania, Luxembourg, UNITED KINGDOM (England and Wales),                        Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary                     

–

Finland, Ireland, Sweden, UNITED KINGDOM (Scotland and Northern Ireland), Norway

–

Austria, France, Germany, Slovenia

–

Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece

–

Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### Lowland-midland group

#### Nordic group

#### Mediterranean group

#### Danubian group

#### Alpine group

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPS: All – Very Large RiversU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Finland, Norway, Sweden

:

Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia,                        the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden                     

#### VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: PhytobenthosU.K.

**Results**: ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The following results apply to low alkalinity very large rivers (type R-L1)

The following results apply to medium to high alkalinity very large rivers (type R-L2)

### WATER CATEGORY: RiversU.K.GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: All - Very Large RiversU.K.BIOLOGICAL QUALITY ELEMENTS: Macrophytes, Phytoplankton, Fish, Benthic InvertebratesU.K.

### WATER CATEGORY: LakesGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: AlpineU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia

:

Austria, France, Germany, Italy

#### ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

#### ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: MacrophytesU.K.

#### ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebratesU.K.

#### ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Fish faunaU.K.

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: LakesGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Central / BalticU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom

:

Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom

#### CENTRAL / BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### CENTRAL / BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: MacrophytesU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### CENTRAL / BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebratesU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUPU.K.

**Biological Quality Element**: Fish fauna                  

### WATER CATEGORY: LakesGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: MediterraneanU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Greece, France, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain

:

Cyprus, France, Italy, Romania, Spain

#### MEDITERRANEAN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: LakesGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: NorthernU.K.

#### NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

##### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

:

Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

:

Norway, Sweden

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: MacrophytesU.K.

##### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

:

Ireland, United Kingdom.

:

Ireland, United Kingdom

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebratesU.K.

##### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland

:

Finland, Sweden

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

#### NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Fish faunaU.K.

##### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: LakesGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Cross-GIG PhytobenthosU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

:

Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, United Kingdom

:

Belgium, France, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom

:

Finland, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom

#### CROSS-GIG LAKES INTERCALIBRATION RESULTSU.K.**Biological Quality Element**: Macrophytes and PhytobenthosU.K.**Sub-Biological Quality Element**: PhytobenthosU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitionalGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Baltic Sea GIGU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

#### **Coastal waters**U.K.

:

Finland, Sweden.

:

Finland, Estonia

:

Estonia, Latvia

:

Lithuania, Latvia, Poland.

:

Sweden, Denmark.

:

Germany, Poland.

:

Germany, Denmark.

:

Finland, Sweden, Estonia (type only relevant for phytoplankton)

#### **Transitional waters**U.K.

:

Lithuania, Poland.

#### BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

#### BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll a):** SEE ANNEX II                  

#### BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Macroalgae and AngiospermsU.K.

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

###### **Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated**

###### **Ecological quality ratios and parameter values for parameter indicative of abundance (Depth limit of Eelgrass *Zostera marina*): Ecological quality ratios and parameter values**

### WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitionalGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: North East AtlanticU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

#### **Coastal waters**U.K.

:

Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

:

France, Spain, Portugal

:

France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom

:

Spain, France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom

:

Belgium, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom

:

Germany, Denmark

:

Denmark

:

Portugal, Spain

:

Germany, Netherlands

:

Norway, United Kingdom

:

Norway, Sweden

:

Denmark, Sweden

:

Norway, Sweden

:

Norway, Sweden

#### **Transitional waters**U.K.

:

Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom

#### NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The results are applicable to soft sediment habitats only (subtidal mud/sand habitats).

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Results for coastal waters, Types NEA 1/26 AND NEA7:** SEE ANNEX II                  

#### NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Phytoplankton**: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)                  

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values                  

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six year period.                     The results relate to geographic areas within the types as described in the technical report.                  

**Results for coastal waters, Types NEA 1/26a, NEA 1/26b, NEA1/26e, NEA 3/4, NEA9, NEA10**: SEE ANNEX II                  

#### NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Macroalgae and angiospermsU.K.

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Results**: Macroalgae - parameter intertidal or subtidal macroalgae rocky bottom                  

###### **Coastal waters**

**Results for Macroalgae – parameter intertidal blooming macroalgae Type NEA1/26**: SEE ANNEX II                  

##### **Transitional waters:**U.K.

**Results for Macroalgae – parameter intertidal blooming macroalgae - NEA11**: SEE ANNEX II                  

**Results**: Angiosperms - subBQE indicative of seagrasses                  

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Results for Angiosperms (subBQE indicative of seagrasses) Type 1/26**: SEE ANNEX II                  

##### **Transitional waters:**U.K.

**Results for Angiosperms (subBQE indicative of seagrasses) NEA11**: SEE ANNEX II                  

#### NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Fish (Transitional Waters)U.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitionalGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Mediterranean SeaU.K.

Typology with regional common intercalibration types has been defined for phytoplankton only (see below).

For benthic invertebrate fauna, macroalgae and seagrasses the intercalibration results apply to the entire Mediterranean Sea                     covered by the Member States.                  

#### MEDITERRANEAN GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems                  

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

The following results apply to soft sediments only

#### MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

##### **Description of types for coastal waters that have been intercalibrated (applicable for phytoplankton only)**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

:

France, Italy

:

France, Spain, Italy

:

Italy, Slovenia

:

France, Spain, Italy

:

France, Spain, Italy

:

Greece, Cyprus

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll a)**: SEE ANNEX II                  

#### MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: Macroalgae and AngiospermsU.K.

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

###### **Macroalgae: sub-BQE indicative of Macroalgae and Angiosperms**U.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The following results apply to the upper infralittoral zone (3,5 – 0,2 m depth) in rocky coasts:

###### **Seagrasses: sub-BQE indicative of Macroalgae and Angiosperms**U.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

##### **Transitional waters:**U.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitionalGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Black SeaU.K.

#### **Description of common intercalibration types**

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

Bulgaria and Romania

#### BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element**: PhytoplanktonU.K.

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Results**: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

## ANNEX IIU.K.

### WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitionalGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Baltic Sea GIGU.K.

#### BALTIC SEA GEOPGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element:** PhytoplanktonU.K.

**Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll a):** Ecological quality ratios and parameter values                  

The following results refer to summer mean May/June – September

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

### WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitionalGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: North East AtlanticU.K.

#### NORTHEAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element:** Benthic invertebrate faunaU.K.

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

The results are applicable to soft sediment habitats only (subtidal mud/sand habitats).

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

###### *Types NEA 1/26 and NEA7*

#### NORTHEAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element:** PhytoplanktonU.K.

##### **Coastal waters**Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)U.K.

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios and parameter values                  

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six year period.                     The results relate to geographic areas within the types as described in the technical report.                  

#### NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS**Biological Quality Element:** Macroalgae and AngiospermsU.K.

Macroalgae: parameter intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios of national parameter intercalibrated                  

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

##### **Transitional waters**U.K.

**Results:** Angiosperms – sub-BQE indicative of Macroalgae and Angiosperms                  

##### **Coastal waters:**U.K.

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

##### **Transitional waters:**U.K.

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated                  

### WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitionalGEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: MediterraneanU.K.

#### **Biological Quality Element:** PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass: (Chlorophyll –a)U.K.

##### **Coastal waters**U.K.

**Results:** Ecological quality ratios and parameter values                  

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l of Chlorophyll *a*, for the 90th percentile calculated over the year in at least a five year period. The results relate to geographic areas                     within the types as described in the technical report.                  

1

OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.                           

2

OJ L 243, 19.9.2005, p. 1.                           

3

Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance Document No 6, Towards a Guidance                              on Establishment of the Intercalibration Network and the Process on the Intercalibration Exercise, European Communities, 2003.                              ISBN 92-894-5126-2                           

4

Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance document No 14. Guidance document                              on the Intercalibration Process 2004-2006, ISBN 92-894-9471-9                           

Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance document No 14. Guidance document                              on the Intercalibration Process 2008-2011 ISBN: 978-92-79-18997-5                           

5

OJ L 332, 10.12.2008, p. 20.