Opinion of the Advocate General — ECLI:EU:C:2002:595
Date: 2002-10-17
Based on: Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (1957)
Subject matter: Environment;Approximation of laws
Procedure: Action for failure to fulfil obligations - successful
Origin: Denmark

Summary of the Judgment 
Approximation of laws — Quality of bathing water — Directive 76/160 — Implemen­
tation by the Member States — Obligation as to the result to be achieved — Assessment 
each year 
(Council Directive 76/160, Art 4(1) and (13)) 
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SUMMARY — CASE C-226/01 
Under Article 4(1) of Directive 76/160 
concerning the quality of bathing water, 
Member States are to take all necessary 
measures to ensure that the quality of 
bathing water conforms to the limit values 
set in accordance with the directive within 
10 years following the notification of the 
directive. Such conformity must be assessed 
each year and not over a number of years. 
(see paras 24-25) 
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