A strategy has been adopted for approximation in the water sector. With the adoption of the Drinking Water Health Standard, most of the EU's legal requirements on parameters, values and monitoring have been met. Certain elements of the acquis on pollution caused by dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment have been transposed. The requirements on waste water have been adopted. Large gaps remain in the transposition of the other main directives in this sector.
Major investment is required.
With regard to waste management, the Government adopted the National Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan in May 1999. The Strategy reflects the requirements of the main waste management directives. Lithuania has transposed most of the provisions of the framework directive on waste. Implementation has to be improved by strengthening monitoring bodies and structures, particularly at local level. There is a need for progress in transposing the acquis on packaging and packaging waste.