COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 354 final 
Brussels, 30 September 1991 
Amendment to the proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
on a specific action to protect the environment 
In the coastal areas and coastal waters of the Irish Sea, 
North Sea, Baltic Sea and North-East Atlantic Ocean 
(NORSPA) 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(3) 
of the EEC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
On 20 December 1990 the Commission submitted to the Council the proposal 
for a Régulât Ion on specific action by the Community to protect coastal 
areas and coastal waters In the northern regions of the Community -
NORSPA (C0M(90)498 final). The objective of this action Is to provide 
financial support for pilot or demonstration projects to reduce 
pollution and Improve management of the environment In the regions 
concerned. 
2. On 9 July 1991 the European Parliament expressed Its opinion on the 
Commission's proposal by adopting report PE 150.268/fin from 
Mrs R. Oomen-Rulsten and 28 amendments to the text proposed by the 
Commission. 
At the same sitting of Par I lament the Commission explained Its reasons 
for refusing nine of these amendments and accepting the other 19. 
The 19 amendments accepted are useful additions which Improve on the 
Commission's original text. 
The attached text Is Intended to Inform the Council of the amendments 
which the Commission has accepted and Incorporated In Its proposal, 
pursuant to Article 149(3) of the EEC Treaty. 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Third récitaj 
Whereas the resolution of 19 October 
1987 of the Council of the European 
Communities and of the 
representatives of the Governments 
of the Member States, meeting within 
the Council, on the continuation and 
implementation of a European 
Community policy and action 
programme on the environment (1987-
1992)' states that it is important 
for Community action to concentrate 
on combating fresh-water and marine 
pollution by means of a general 
improvement of the aquatic 
environment, in particular of the 
North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea; Whoroas the resolution of 19 October 
1987 of the Council of the European 
Communities and of the 
representatives of the Governments 
of the Member States, meeting within 
the Council, on the continuation and 
implementation of a European 
Community policy and action 
programme on the environment (1987-
1992), states that it is important 
for Community action to concentrate 
on combating fresh-water and marine 
pollution, by means of a source-
centred policy and a preventive 
approach and a general improvement 
of the aquatic environment, which in 
practice means combating pollution 
from factories, towns and above all 
agricultural chemical», in 
particular in the North Sea and the 
Mediterranean Sea; 
Sixth recital 
Whereas protection of the 
environment of the Irish Sea, the 
North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the 
North-East Atlantic Ocean requires a 
combined international effort by all 
the littoral States; whereas certain 
measures in this fiald can be 
carried out more effectively at 
Community level than at che level of 
the individual Member States; Whereas protection of the 
environment of the Irish Sea, the 
North Sea, the 3altic Sea and the 
North-East Atlantic Ocean requires a 
combined international effort by all 
the littoral States and States 
polluting the rivers which flow into 
those Sdtas; whereas certain 
measures in this field can be 
earned out more effectively at 
Comruni-y level than at the level of 
the i.nd Lviduai Member States; 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
sixth recital a (new) 
Whereas full use must be made of the 
Community Structural Funds and 
certain other financial instruments 
and Community programmes In order to 
assist in the Implementation, in 
accordance with the relevant rules, 
regulations and objectives, of 
certain categorlee of meaeure 
covered by this Regulation; 
Tenth recital a (new) 
Whereas maximum publicity should be 
given to this Regulation to foster 
an awareness of, and access to, the 
measures proposed by it on the part 
of small and med 1 um-B1 zed 
enterprises, Inter alia; 
Tenth recital b (new) 
Whereas an optimum effect can be 
achieved from the measures if clean 
technology is used which responds to 
needs and circumstances; 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Article 1 
Community action to protect the 1_;_ Community action to protect the 
environment in the coaatai areas and environment in the coastal areas and 
coastal waters of the Irish Sea, coastal waters of the Irish Sea, 
North Sea, Baltic Sea and North-East North Sea, Baltic Sea and North-East 
Atlantic Ocean (NORSPA) is hereby Atlantic Ocean (NORSPA) is hereby 
instituted. instituted. 
2. 'Coastal area»' are deemed to be 
the area» covered by the littoral 
local authorities, or those area» 
covered by the lowest level of 
administration concerned with 
licensing policy or local 
environmental policy. 
'Coastal waters' are deemed to be a 
atrip 12 mile» In width along the 
coast. 
3. In order to prevent any overlap 
between or duplication of measure» 
In the region» covered by thl» 
Regulation, a survey shall be made 
of all existing programme» and 
project» to protect the environment 
In the area» concerned. 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Article 2 
The objectives of the action to be 
taken under this Regulation shall 
be: V The objectives of the action to 
be taken under this Regulation shall 
bet 
(a) to intensify efforts to protect 
and improve the quality of the 
environment and to implement 
Community environment policy in 
the areas concerned; (a) to intensify effort» to 
protect, maintain, restore and 
Improve the quality of the 
environment and to implement 
Community environment policy 
and Community legislation in 
the areas concerned; 
(b) to maintain and increase the 
effectiveness of Community 
measure» on the environment in 
the areas concerned pursuant to 
other Community policies; 
(c) to increase cooperation between 
the littoral State» on 
protection of the environment 
by integrating Community 
action» and the operation» 
carried out at regional, 
national and international 
level; (b) to maintain, coordinate and 
increase the effectiveness of 
Community measures on the 
environment in the areas 
concerned pursuant to other 
Community policies; 
(c) to increase and coordinate 
cooperation between the 
littoral States on protection 
of the environment by 
integrating Community actions 
and the operation» carried out 
at regional, national and 
international level; 
(d) to promote the development and 
use of clean or low-emi»»ion 
technologie», a» the transfer 
of these technologie» and the 
exchange of experience would 
benefit the environment in the 
area» concerned. (d) to encourage the development 
and u»e of innovative, clean or 
low-emi»sion technologies, a» 
the transfer of these 
technologies and the exchange 
of experience would foster such 
innovative measure» and 
initiatives to 
environment 
concerned. in protect the 
the areas 
ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Article J(i; 
1. The amount of Community 
expenditure estimated necessary for 
the implementation of the action 
provided for in this Regulation 1» 
ECU 10 million during the first two 
years. 1. The amount of Community 
expenditure estimated necessary for 
the implementation of the action 
provided for in this Regulation is 
ECU 16.5 million during the first 
two year». 
Article 4(1) 
1. The financial support provided 
for in thi» Regulation may be 
granted in respect of operation» 
suited to giving rise to a lasting 
improvement in the quality of the 
coastal area» and coastal waters 
referred to in Article 1 and which 
reflect the priorltlea listed in the 
Annex. 1. The financial support provided 
for in this Regulation may be 
granted in respect of innovative 
operation» suited to giving rise to 
a lasting improvement in the quality 
of the coastal area» and coastal 
waters referred to in Article 1 and 
which reflect the objectives listed 
in Article 2. 
Priority »hall be given to the 
measures listed in the Annex, in 
parUcuj*r iO Instances wh«F? 
thev are intended to impose more 
stringent conditions than in the 
objectives of the Final 
Declaration of the Third Worth 
Sea Ministerial Conference, or 
where they go beyond Community 
environmental requirement» or 
are intended to achieve speedier 
compliance with such 
requirement». 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Article 6(2) 
2. The financial support shall take 
the form of: 2. The financial support shall take 
the form of: 
capital grants towards 
investment in projects other 
than infrastructure project», or 
financial contributions towards 
pilot or demonstration projects 
and to measures providing an 
incentive or creating awareness, 
and towards initiatives designed 
to acgulre the information 
necessary for the implementation 
of the operations. Improve 
supervision and monitoring of 
the environment concerned and 
promote the exchange of 
experience and technology 
transfer. (a) capital grants towards 
investment in projects other than in 
infrastructure projects 
(b) (Co-)funding of programmes 
(c) (Co-)funding of projects 
(d) interest subsidies 
(e) repayable subsidies 
(f) support for technical assistance 
for operations. 
Article 8(2), second subparagraph 
Before carrying out an on-the-spot 
check, the Commission shall give 
notice to the beneficiary concerned 
with a view to obtaining all the 
assistance necessary. Before carrying out an on-the-spot 
check, the Commission shall give 
notice to the beneficiary concerned 
with a view to obtaining all the 
assistance necessary, except in 
case» where fraud or improper use 
are suspected. 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Article 9(1) 
1. The Commission may reduce or 
suspend payment of assistance in 
respect of a particular operation if 
it finds irregularities or a 
significant change affecting the 
nature or conditions of 
implementation of the action for 
which the Commission's approval has 
not been sought. 1. The Commission may reduce or 
suspend payment of assistance in 
respect of a particular operation^ 
and regulre that that assistance be 
reimbursed, if it finds 
irregularities or a significant 
change affecting the nature or 
conditions of implementation of the 
action for which the Commission'» 
approval ha» not been sought. 
Article 9(2) 
2. If the completion dates have 
not been respected or if a 
particular operation has been 
carried out in such a manner that 
payment of only part of the 
financial assistance allocated to it 
is justified, the Commission shall 
ask the beneficiary to submit his 
comments within a specified period. 
Unless adequate justification is 
produced, the Commission may cancel 
the remaining portion of the 
financial assistance concerned. 2. If the completion dates have not 
been respected or if a particular 
operation has been carried out in 
such a manner that payment of only 
part of the financial assistance 
allocated to it is justified, the 
Commission shall ask the beneficiary 
to submit his comments within a 
specified period. Unless adequate 
justification is produced, the 
Commission may cancel the remaining 
portion of the financial assistance 
concerned, and demand reimbursement 
of financial assistance already 
paid. 
Article 9(3) 
3. Any sum which is unduly received 
by the beneficiary shall be repaid 
to the Commission. Interest may be 
charged on sums not repaid in due 
time. The Commission shall lay down 
the detailed rules for the 
implementation of this paragraph. 3. Any sum which is unduly received 
by the beneficiary shall be repaid 
to the Commission. Interest shall 
be charged on sums not repaid in due 
time. The Commission shall lay down 
the detailed rules for the 
implementation of this paragraph. 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Article 12 
The list of measures which have 
received financial support shall be 
published for information purposes 
in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities. The list of measures which have 
received financial support shall be 
published In the Official Journal of 
the European Communities. 
(Amendment No. 22) 
Article 13, second paragraph 
It shall apply for ten years, 
divided into two five-year phases. 
Before the end of the first phase, 
the Commission shall assess the 
results and report to the Council 
and to the European Parliament. If 
appropriate, the Commission shall 
propose amendments to this 
Regulation, in particular with 
regard to the priority measures to 
be taken for the implementation of 
the second phase. It shall apply until the financial 
instrument 'LIFE'-^ comes into 
effect. 
i- COM (91) 0028 
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ORIGINAL TEXT AMENDED TEXT 
Annex, A.l. 
Measures to reduce nutrient inputs 
in coastal areaB, including those 
due to agricultural activities. Measures to reduce and, in 
particular, prevent nutrient inputi 
in coastal areas, including those 
due to agricultural activities. 
Annex, A.3. 
Identification of measures suited to 
speeding up the application of 
emission standard» and possible 
establishment of sectoral agreements 
for Industrie» responsible for 
significant pollution from point 
sourcee, such as the paper and pulp 
industry, fertilizer industry, 
biocide manufacturing and 
formulation industry, 
pharmaceuticals industry. Identification of measures suited to 
speeding up the application of 
emission standard» and possible 
establishment of sectoral agreements 
for industries responsible for 
significant pollution from point 
sources, such as the paper and pulp 
industry, fertilizer industry, 
biocide manufacturing and 
formulation industry, 
pharmaceuticals industry, and from 
diffuse sources. 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 354 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 14 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-406-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-75852-X 
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