Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy and amending Directive 2000/60/EC {COM(2006) 398 final} {SEC(2006) 947}
Date: 2006-07-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: environmental cooperation, environmental protection, environmental standard, groundwater, pollution control measures, quality of the environment, surface water, water pollution, water protection

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 17.7.2006 
COM(2006) 397 final 

2006/0129 (COD) 

Proposal for a  

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy and amending Directive 
2000/60/EC 

(presented by the Commission) 

{COM(2006) 398 final} 
{SEC(2006) 947} 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1)  CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

110 

•  Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

Chemical  pollution  of  surface  water  can  disturb  aquatic  ecosystems,  causing  loss  of 
habitats  and  biodiversity.  Pollutants  may  accumulate  in  the  food  chain,  and  harm 
predators consuming contaminated fish. Humans are exposed to pollutants through the 
aquatic  environment  by  fish  or  seafood  consumption,  drinking  water  and  possibly 
recreational  activities.  Pollutants  may  be  found  in  the  environment  many  years  after 
being  banned;  some  may  be  transported  long  distances  and  can  be  found  in  remote 
areas. 

Pollutants may be released to the environment from various sources (e.g. agriculture, 
industry,  incineration),  as  products  or  as  unintended  by-products,  they  may  be  of 
historical nature or used daily in household products.  

Article 16 of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) sets out a strategy 
for dealing with chemical pollution of water. As a first step of this strategy, a list of 
priority substances was adopted (Decision 2455/2001/EC) identifying 33 substances of 
priority  concern  at  Community  level.  This  proposal  aims  to  ensure  a  high  level  of 
protection  against  risks  to  or  via  the  aquatic  environment  stemming  from  these  33 
priority  substances  and  certain  other  pollutants  by  setting  environmental  quality 
standards  (EQS).  The  necessary  emission  controls  have  been  adopted  in  various 
Community acts over the past years. 

120 

•  General context 

The  Community  first  adopted  legislation  regarding  chemical  pollution  of  waters  in 
1976  (Directive  76/464/EEC  on  pollution  caused  by  certain  dangerous  substances 
discharged  into  the  aquatic  environment  of  the  Community).  Subsequently,  several 
"Daughter Directives" were adopted from 1982 until 1990 laying down emission limit 
values and environmental quality objectives for 18 specific pollutants (see below).  

The  WFD  introduced  an updated, comprehensive and effective strategy for chemical 
pollution of surface waters. Under the WFD, Directive 76/464/EEC is to be repealed 
within  a  transition  period  but  no  provision  is  made  for  the  repeal  of  the  related 
"Daughter Directives". Article 16 requests the Commission to present a proposal with 
specific  measures  against  pollution  of  water  by  individual  or  groups  of  pollutants 
presenting a significant risk to or via the aquatic environment. As a first step, Decision 
2455/2001/EC  was  adopted  which  replaces  the  previous  list  communicated  by  the 
Commission in 1982. As a next step, the Commission was required to come forward 
with  EQS  (see  Art.  16  (7))  and  emission  controls  (see  Art.  16  (6)  and  (8))  for  these 
priority  substances.  This  proposal  implements  this  obligation  with  the  exception  of 
introducing  additional  emission  controls  (for  more  details  see  below).  At  the  same 
time,  this  proposal  includes  the  repeal  of  the  existing  "Daughter"  Directives 
82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC and 86/280/EEC as amended by 
Directive 88/347/EEC and 90/415/EEC. 

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30 

•  Existing provisions in the area of the proposal 

The  WFD  sets  out  the  general  framework  for  a  strategy  against  pollution  of  surface 
waters.  Based  on  the  previous  legislation  in  this  area  Directive  76/464/EEC,  and 
related Daughter Directives (see above) regulate similar aspects to those specified in 
this proposal. However, the pollutants covered are not identical and there was a need 
to take into account scientific and technical progress. 

140 

•  Consistency with other policies and objectives of the Union 

The  6th  Environmental  Action  Programme  identifies  the  measures  for  priority 
substances  as  a  key  action  (see  Article  7(2)(e)  of  Decision  1600/2002/EC).  The 
objective of this proposal is to protect and enhance the quality of the environment in 
accordance  with  the  principle  of  sustainable  development.  At  the  same  time,  the 
proposal  for  EQS  ensures  the  harmonisation  of  economic  conditions  in  the  internal 
market since existing national EQS vary considerably.  

Furthermore, the proposal and accompanying Communication takes full account of the 
objectives and provisions of other Community legislation, in particular the chemicals 
policy  including  REACH  and  the  Pesticides  Directive,  the  IPPC  Directive  and  the 
Thematic Strategies, namely those on marine policy and sustainable use of pesticides. 
All of these, and other, Community acts provide the emission controls in the sense of 
Article 16 (6) and 16 (8) WFD. 

2)  CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

•  Consultation of interested parties 

211 

Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents 

Since 2001, the Commission consulted a representative stakeholder forum - the Expert 
Advisory Forum on Priority Substances - which included experts from Member States, 
industry  and  environmental  NGOs  on  all  aspects  of  the  proposal.  The  consultation 
satisfies the requirements of Article 16 (5) of the Water Framework Directive where 
this  form  of  consultation  is  explicitly  mentioned.  It  has  included  a  series  of  16 
meetings and several rounds of written consultation. 

212 

Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account 

In  addition  to  the  minutes  of  the  meetings,  the  outcome  of  these  consultations  are 
available in several background documents:  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The methodology to establish EQS and substance specific datasheets.  

A concept paper on pollution controls, including source screening sheets and 
tables of existing Community measures for each substance. 

A report of the Expert Group on Analysis and Monitoring. 

A report on the Identification of Priority Hazardous Substances. 

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5. 

6. 

A  study  report  on  potential  economic  impacts  of  the  pollution  control 
measures. 

A study report on environmental quality standards - their compliance rate and 
the benefits from achieving them. 

In addition the Commission consulted the Expert Advisory Forum on a draft Directive 
in June 2004. Further details on comments received and the extent to which these have 
been  taken  on  board  are  summarised  in  the  accompanying  Impact  Assessment 
(SEC(2006) 947 of 17.7.2006).  

•  Collection and use of expertise 

221 

Scientific/expertise domains concerned 

Member  State  and  industry  scientific  experts  were  regularly  consulted  through  the 
Expert  Advisory  Forum.  In  addition,  the  Scientific  Committee  on  Toxicity,  Eco-
toxicity  and  the  Environment  (SCTEE)  was  consulted  on  the  establishment  of  EQS 
(with the final opinion adopted by SCTEE during the 43rd plenary meeting of 28 May 
2004). This opinion has been taken into account in the finalisation of the EQS values 
and detailed information is available in the report on EQS and individual datasheets.  

222 

Methodology used 

Regular  meetings  of  the  Expert  Advisory  Forum  took  place  from  2001-2004.  In 
addition, wider written consultation took place. Finally, the opinion of the SCTEE was 
sought in accordance with the formal procedures. 

223 

Main organisations/experts consulted 

Various scientific and technical experts on chemical pollution in general, on analysis 
and monitoring, on emission controls, on environmental quality standards, on existing 
chemicals  (under  Regulation  793/93)  and  on  plant  protection  products  (under 
91/414/EEC)  from  all  EU25  Member  States,  candidate  countries  and  Norway  were 
regularly consulted. Within the same process, industry scientists and experts including 
EUREAU, CEFIC, Eurochlor, ECPA, Eurometaux, UNICE and Environmental NGO 
experts  from  WWF  and  EEB  were  also  consulted.  A  questionnaire  on  the  economic 
impacts  of  the  potential  proposals  was  circulated  to  43  major  European  industry 
organisations.  

2243 

Summary of advice received and used 

There  is  a  broad  consensus  on  the  existence  of  potentially  serious  risks  with 
irreversible consequences from dangerous substances. 

225 

An EQS based on a maximum allowable concentration was developed to avoid serious 
irreversible consequences for eco-systems due to acute exposure in the short term, and 
the annual average EQS to avoid irreversible consequences in the long term, although 
the  SCTEE  points  out  that  acute  exposure  can  also  have  long  term  consequences. 
Other advice by the SCTEE concerned ensuring latest scientific data available is used, 
coherence with other risk assessment methodologies and specific advice in relation to 
individual substances. 

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Furthermore, the  extensive  public  consultation  on a  draft  Directive  in June 2004 has 
led to revisions of proposals for additional emission controls, mainly for cost reasons. 
The consultation showed that the most cost-effective way to achieve the objectives for 
priority substances is to leave the level and combination of measures, mainly based on 
existing EU legislation, to be decided by Member States.  

226 

Means used to make the expert advice publicly available 

All the above-mentioned documents are available at: 

europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/water-dangersub/pri_substances.htm  

SCTEE opinion available at: 

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_risk/committees/sct/sct_en.htm 

230 

•  Impact assessment 

In  general,  three  main  options  were  considered.  First,  no  new  proposal  leaving  any 
further regulation to Member States; second, that the setting of EQS only is addressed 
at  Community  level;  and  finally,  that  both  EQS  and  specific  additional  emission 
control measures are dealt with in the proposal. For environmental quality standards, it 
was decided early on that they should be set at Community level due to the specific 
requirements  of  the  WFD  for  harmonisation  and  consistency  with  other  Community 
legislation.  Thereafter,  a  number  of  sub-options  have  been  considered  in  the 
preparatory  process  (see  impact  assessment  report).  For  the  pollution  control 
measures, the option chosen is to leave the additional specific measures to the Member 
States, as this was identified as the most cost-effective and proportionate. In addition, 
there  is  already  in  place  (or  pending)  a  significant  body  of  EU  emission  control 
legislation which is contributing significantly to achievement of the WFD objectives 
for priority substances.  

The  Impact  Assessment  report  sets  out  in  more  detail  the  findings  as  regards  the 
relative  socio-economic  impacts  and  environmental  benefits  of  each  of  the  above 
options. 

3)  LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

305 

•  Summary of the proposed action 

In summary the key components of the proposed Directive are:  

- 

- 

- 

- 

establishment  of  environmental  quality  standards  as  required  by  Article  16.7 
WFD including the introduction of a transitional area of exceedance,  

establishment  of  an  inventory  of  discharges,  emissions  and  losses  to  check 
whether the objectives of reduction or cessation are met; 

repeal of and transitional provisions for the existing "daughter Directives" listed 
in annex IX WFD as suggested by Article 16.10 WFD, 

identification  of  priority  hazardous  substances  (PHS)  out  of  the  14  substances 
under review as required by Decision 2455/2001/EC. 

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310 

•  Legal basis 

The  key  provisions  of  this  Directive  relate  to  environmental  protection,  and 
consequently the legal base of 175 (1) of the Treaty is chosen, in line with the WFD. 

320 

•  Subsidiarity principle 

The  subsidiarity  principle  applies  insofar  as  the  proposal  does  not  fall  under  the 
exclusive competence of the Community. 

The objectives of the proposal cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States 
acting nationally for the following reason(s). 

Currently,  most  priority  substances  are  regulated  by  national  environmental  quality 
standards  which  vary  considerably.  To  ensure  the  same  level  of  environmental 
protection  in  all  Member  States,  and  to  ensure  a  level  playing  field  for  economic 
operators, EQS should be established at Community level.  

Without  Community-wide  EQS,  Member  States  would  have  to  set  national  EQS  by 
the  end  of  2006.  The  Commission  favours  Community  action  on  this  point  and 
therefore  will  await  the  outcome  of  the  co-decision  process  for  this  proposal  before 
pursuing the implementation of this obligation by Member States. 

Establishing EQS at Community level furthermore ensures less administrative efforts 
for Member States. Moreover, chemical pollution of transboundary surface waters can 
only be addressed by joint cross-border action.  

This  proposal  is  limited  to  establishing  EQS  at  Community  level.  Specific  and 
additional pollution control measures are left to the Member States since many other 
existing Community acts must be applied to fulfil the requirements of Article 16 (6) 
and 16 (8) WFD.  

The proposal therefore complies with the subsidiarity principle. 

•  Proportionality principle 

The proposed instrument is a Directive laying down targets for environmental quality 
to be achieved by 2015. To ensure proportionality in the pollution reduction measures, 
much  scope  is  left  to  the  Member  States  to  identify  the  most  appropriate  specific 
combination of measures. This will allow regional and local situations to be taken into 
account. 

Given the extensive implementation framework established under the WFD, as well as 
the safeguard clause included in the case of non-adoption of this proposal (cf. Article 
16.8 WFD), it is believed that the additional financial or administrative burden of the 
proposal is minimal. 

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324 

327 

331 

332 

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341 

342 

•  Choice of instruments 

Proposed instruments: Directive. 

The  Commission  proposes  a  single  legal  act  establishing  all  provisions  related  to 
Article 16 (WFD) to ensure one streamlined instrument. A directive is chosen as the 
legal  instrument.  Its  'parent'  instrument  2000/60/EC  is  a  Directive  and  the  measures 
require transposition.  

4)  BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

401 

No budgetary implications are expected.  

5)  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

507 

510 

511 

512 

•  Simulation, pilot phase and transitory period 

There will be a transitory period for the proposal. 

•  Simplification 

The proposal provides for simplification of legislation. 

The five specific Directives (82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC and 
86/280/EEC as amended by Directive 88/347/EEC and 90/415/EEC) are repealed by 
the proposed Directive. 

This simplification will mean that a substantial part of the reporting obligations under 
Commission Decision 95/337/EEC will become obsolete.     

520 

•  Repeal of existing legislation 

532 

50 

The adoption of the proposal will lead to the repeal of existing legislation. 

•  Review/revision/sunset clause 

The proposal includes a revision clause for the setting of EQS. Furthermore, Article 19 
(2)  WFD  provides  for  a  general  review  of  Directive  2000/60/EC  which  includes  the 
provisions of Article 16 and consequently this Directive.  

•  Correlation table 

The  Member  States  are  required  to  communicate  to  the  Commission  the  text  of 
national  provisions  transposing  the  Directive  as  well  as  a  correlation  table  between 
those provisions and this Directive. 

560 

•  European Economic Area 

The  proposed  act  concerns  an  EEA  matter  and  should  therefore  extend  to  the 
European Economic Area. 

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570 

•  Detailed explanation of the proposal 

Article 1 - Subject matter: The Directive sets out environmental quality standards.  

Article  2  and  Annex  I  -  environmental  quality  standards:  Environmental  quality 
standards  (EQS)  for  priority  substances  and  selected  other  pollutants  and  related 
compliance  checking  provisions  are  being  established  and  specified  in  Annex  I.  The 
EQS  are  differentiated  for  inland  surface  waters  (rivers  and  lakes)  and  other  surface 
waters (transitional, coastal and territorial waters). Two types of EQS are set, annual 
average  concentrations  and  maximum  allowable  concentrations,  one  for  protection 
against  long-term  and  chronic  effects,  the  other  for  short-term,  direct  and  acute 
ecotoxic  effects,  respectively.  For  metals,  the  compliance  regime  is  adapted  by 
allowing  Member  States  to  take  background  levels  and  bioavailability  into  account. 
Member  States  shall  have  to  use  compulsory  calculation  methods,  if  set  up  by  the 
Commission. EQS are also established for biota of certain selected substances. Some 
EQS  may  need  to  be  revised  shortly  in  the  light  of  the  outcome  of  ongoing  risk 
assessments  under  other  Community  legislation.  In  particular  an  amendment  of  the 
provisional  EQS  for  nickel  and  lead  are  likely  as  the  relevant  results  of  the  ongoing 
risk assessments can currently not be anticipated by the Commission. 

Article 3 - transitional area of exceedance: A transitional area of exceedance is being 
defined  for  the  vicinity  of  point  source  discharges  for  those  parts  of  water  bodies 
where EQS cannot be met due to the elevated levels of pollutants in the effluents.  

Article  4  –  inventory  of  emissions,  discharges  and  losses:  An  inventory  is  to  be 
established for river basins in order to allow compliance checking of the objectives on 
reduction of discharges, emissions and losses for priority substances and cessation or 
phase  out  of  discharges,  emissions  and  losses  for  priority  hazardous  substances.  The 
timetable for complying with the cessation target is 2025.  

Article  5  and  Annex  II  -  identification  of  priority  hazardous  substances  (PHS):  The 
WFD (Art 16.3) requires the identification of PHS among the priority substances. In 
Decision  2455/2001/EC,  14  priority  substances  are  proposed  for  review  as  regards 
their  final  status  as  priority  or  priority  hazardous  substances.  Out  of  these  14 
substances, 2 are now proposed as PHS and the remaining 12 are confirmed as priority 
substances as their final classification.  

Article  6,  7  and  8:  Amendment  and  repeals  of  existing  "Daughter"  Directives.  The 
quality  standards  set  by  these  directives  are  being  incorporated  in  this  proposal  and 
thereby repealed with the entry into force of this Directive.  

Article 9, 10 and 11: Provisions on transposition, entry into force and addressees. 

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2006/0129 (COD) 

Proposal for a  

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL  

on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy and amending Directive 
2000/60/EC 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 
175 (1) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee2, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions3, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty4, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

Chemical pollution of surface water presents a threat to the aquatic environment with 
effects  such  as  acute  and  chronic  toxicity  to  aquatic  organisms,  accumulation  in  the 
ecosystem and losses of habitats and biodiversity, as well as threats to human health. 

Decision N° 1600/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 
2002  laying  down  the  Sixth  Community  Environmental  Action  Programme5  sets  out 
that environment and health and quality of life are key environmental priorities of the 
6th EAP, highlighting in particular in article 7(2)(e) the need to establish more specific 
legislation in the field of water policy. 

(3) 

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 policy6 lays 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ L 242, 10.9.2003, p.81. 
OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p.1. Directive amended by Decision 2455/2001/EC (OJ L 331, 15.12.2001, p.1.). 

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(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

down  a  strategy  against  pollution  of  water  and  Article  16  requires  further  specific 
measures for pollution control and environmental quality standards (EQS). 

There  have  been  adopted  numerous  Community  acts  since  2000  which  constitute 
pollution control measures in accordance with Article 16 of Directive 2000/60/EC for 
individual  priority  substances.  Moreover,  many  environmental  protection  measures 
fall under the scope of other existing Community legislation. Therefore priority should 
be  given  to  implementation  and  revision  of  existing  instruments  rather  than 
establishing new controls which may duplicate existing ones.  

As regards emission controls of priority substances from point and diffuse sources as 
referred  to  in  Article  16(6)  and  (8)  of  Directive  2000/60/EC,  it  seems  more  cost-
effective and proportionate for Member States to include, where necessary, in addition 
to  the  implementation  of  other  existing  Community  legislation,  appropriate  control 
measures  in  the  programme  of  measures  to  be  developed  for  each  river  basin  in 
accordance with Article 11 of Directive 2000/60/EC.  

Decision  N°  2455/2001/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  20 
November 2001 establishing the list of priority substances in the field of water policy 
and amending Directive 2000/60/EC7 sets out the first list of 33 substances or groups 
of substances that have been prioritised for action at Community level. Among those 
priority  substances,  certain  substances  have  been  identified  as  priority  hazardous 
substances  which  are  subject  to  phase-out  or  cessation  of  emissions,  discharges  and 
losses. Some substances were under review and should be classified. 

From the point of view of Community interest and for a more effective regulation of 
the  surface  water  protection,  it  is  appropriate  that  EQS  are  set  up  for  pollutants 
classified  as  priority  substances  on  Community  level  and  to  leave  to  the  Member 
States to lay down, where necessary, rules for remaining pollutants on national level 
subject to the application of relevant Community rules. Nonetheless, eight pollutants 
which fall under the scope of Council Directive 86/280/EEC of 12 June 1986 on limit 
values and quality objectives for discharges of certain dangerous substances included 
in  List  I  of  the  Annex  to  Directive  76/464/EEC8  and  form  part  of  the  group  of 
substances  for  which  good  chemical  status  should  be  achieved  by  2015  were  not 
included in the list of priority substances. However, the common standards established 
for those pollutants proved to be useful and it is appropriate to maintain the regulation 
of their standards on Community level. 

(8) 

Consequently, the provisions concerning current environmental quality objectives, laid 
down in Council Directive 82/176/EEC of 22 March 1982 on limit values and quality 
objectives  for  mercury  discharges  by  the  chlor-alkali  electrolysis  industry9,  Council 
Directive 83/513/EEC of 26 September 1983 on limit values and quality objectives for 
cadmium discharges10, Council Directive 84/156/EEC of 8 March 1984 on limit values 
and  quality  objectives  for  mercury  discharges  by  sectors  other  than  the  chlor-alkali 

7 
8 

9 
10 

OJ L 331, 15.12.2001, p.1. 
OJ L 181, 4.7.1986, p. 16. Directive as last amended by Directive 91/692/EEC (OJ L 377, 31.12.1991, 
p. 48).  
OJ L 81, 27.3.1982, p. 29. Directive as amended by Directive 91/692/EEC. 
OJ L 291, 21.10.1983, p. 1. Directive as amended by Directive 91/692/EEC. 

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(9) 

(10) 

electrolysis  industry11,  Council  Directive  84/491/EEC  of  9  October  1984  on  limit 
values and quality objectives for discharges of hexachlorocyclohexane12 and Directive 
86/280/EEC, will become superfluous and should be deleted. 

The aquatic environment can suffer from chemical pollution both in the short term and 
in the long term, and therefore both acute and chronic effects data should be used as 
the basis for establishing the EQS. In order to ensure that the aquatic environment and 
human  health  are  adequately  protected,  annual  average  quality  standards  should  be 
established at a level providing protection against long-term exposure, and maximum 
allowable concentrations should be established to protect against short term exposure. 

In  the  absence  of  extensive  and  reliable  information  on  concentrations  of  priority 
substances in biota and sediments at a Community level and in  view  of the fact  that 
information  on  surface  water  seems  to  provide  a  sufficient  basis  to  ensure 
comprehensive protection and effective pollution control, establishment of EQS values 
should  be,  at  this  stage,  limited  to  surface  water  only.  However,  as  regards 
hexachlorobenzene,  hexachlorobutadien  and  mercury,  it  is  not  possible  to  ensure 
protection against indirect effects and  secondary  poisoning by mere EQS  for surface 
water on Community level. Therefore in those cases, EQS for biota should be set up. 
In  order  to  allow  Member  States  flexibility  depending  on  their  monitoring  strategy 
they should be able either to monitor those EQS and check compliance with them in 
biota,  or  convert  them  into  EQS  for  surface  water.  Furthermore,  it  is  for  Member 
States  to  set  up  EQS  for  sediment  or  biota  where  it  is  necessary  and  appropriate  to 
complement  the  EQS  set  up  on  Community  level.  Moreover,  as  sediment  and  biota 
remain important matrices for monitoring of certain substances by Member States in 
order  to  assess  long  term  impacts  of  anthropogenic  activity  and  trends  the  Member 
States should ensure that existing levels of contamination in biota and sediments will 
not increase. 

(11) 

In  the  case  of  lead,  nickel  and  their  compounds,  the  discussions  on  the  risk 
assessments  have  not  yet  been  concluded  within  the  European  Chemicals  Bureau  / 
Joint Research Centre, and thus, it is not possible to set up definitive quality standards 
for  those  elements.  It  is  therefore  appropriate  to  indicate  clearly  their  provisional 
character. 

(12)  Member States have to comply with Council Directive 98/83/EC on water intended for 
human  consumption13  and  manage  the  surface  water  bodies  used  for  abstraction  of 
drinking water in accordance with Article 7 of Directive 2000/60/EC. This Directive 
should therefore be implemented without prejudice to those requirements which may 
require more stringent standards. 

(13) 

It is possible that EQS cannot be met in the vicinity of discharges from point sources 
because  the  concentrations  of  pollutants  in  discharges  are  usually  higher  than  the 
ambient concentrations in water. Therefore, Member States should be enabled to take 
this  fact  into  account  when  checking  compliance  with  the  EQS  by  identifying  a 
transitional  area  of  exceedance  for  each  relevant  discharge.  In  order  to  ensure  that 

11 
12 
13 

OJ L 74, 17.3.1984, p. 49. Directive as amended by Directive 91/692/EEC. 
OJ L 274, 17.10.1984, p. 11. Directive as amended by Directive 91/692/EEC. 
OJ L 330, 5.12.1998,p.32. 

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
                                                 
(14) 

(15) 

(16) 

those  areas  are  limited,  Article  10  of  Directive  2000/60/EC  and  other  relevant 
provisions of Community law should apply to their identification. As developments in 
treatment techniques and technological innovation, such as best available techniques, 
may  enable  to  diminish  the  concentration  of  pollutants  in  the  proximity  of  points  of 
discharge  in  the  future,  Member  States  should  ensure  that  the  transitional  areas  of 
exceedance are reduced accordingly.  

It is necessary to check the compliance with the objectives for cessation or phase-out, 
and reduction, as specified in Article 4(1)(a)(iv) of Directive 2000/60/EC, and to make 
the  assessment  of  compliance  with  these  obligations  transparent,  in  particular  as 
regards the consideration of significant and non-significant emissions, discharges and 
losses  from  human  activities.  Further,  a  timetable  for  cessation  or  phase-out,  and 
reduction, can only be related to an inventory. It should be also possible to assess the 
application  of  Article  4(4)  to  (7)  of  Directive  2000/60/EC.  An  appropriate  tool  is 
equally  needed  for  quantification  of  losses  of  substances  occurring  naturally,  or 
produced  through  natural  processes,  in  which  case  complete  cessation  or  phase  out 
from  all  potential  sources  is  impossible.  In order  to  meet  those  needs,  each  Member 
State  should  establish  an  inventory  of  emission,  discharges  and  losses  for  each  river 
basin in its territory. 

In order to avoid duplication of work by establishing those inventories and to ensure 
the coherence of those inventories with other existing tools in the area of surface water 
protection,  Member  States  should  use  information  collected  under  Directive 
2000/60/EC and under Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 of the European Parliament and 
Council  of  18  January  2006  concerning  the  establishment  of  a  European  Pollutant 
Release  and  Transfer  Register  and  amending  Council  Directives  91/689/EEC  and 
96/61/EC14. 

In  order  to  better  reflect  their  needs,  Member  States  should  be  able  to  choose  an 
appropriate  1-year  reference  period  for  measuring  the  basic  entries  of  the  inventory. 
However, account  should be taken of the fact that  the losses from the application of 
pesticides  may  vary  considerably  from  one  year  to  another  because  of  different 
application  rates,  for  example  because  of  different  climatic  conditions.  Therefore,  in 
case of certain substances covered by Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 
concerning  the  placing  of  plant  protection  products  on  the  market15,  Member  States 
should be enabled to opt for a 3-year reference period for those substances. 

(17) 

In order to optimize the use of the inventory, it is appropriate to set up a deadline for 
the Commission to verify whether all measures were taken by the Member States to 
achieve the objectives set out in Article 4(1)(a)(iv) of Directive 2000/60/EC. 

(18)  Criteria for identification of substances that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, 
as  well  as  substances  of  other  equivalent  concern,  notably  very  persistent  and  very 
bioaccumulative,  as  referred  to  in  Directive  2000/60/EC,  are  established  in  the 
Technical  Guidance  Document  for  Risk  Assessment  in  support  of  Commission 
Directive  93/67/EEC  of  20  July  1993  laying  down  the  principles  for  assessment  of 

14 
15 

OJ L 33, 04.02.2006, p. 1. 
OJ L L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1. Directive last amended by Commission Directive 2006/19/EC (OJ L 44, 
15.2.2006, p. 15). 

EN 

12 

   EN 

 
                                                 
risks  to  man  and  the  environment  of  substances  notified  in  accordance  with  Council 
Directive  67/548/EEC16,  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  1488/94  of  28  June  1994 
laying down the principles for the assessment of risks to man and the environment of 
existing  substances  in  accordance  with  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  793/9317,  and 
Directive  98/8/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  concerning  the 
placing of biocidal products on the market18. To ensure consistency between different 
Community  legislation,  only  these criteria should be applied to the substances under 
review  according  to  Decision  2455/2001,  and  annex  X  of  Directive  2000/60/EC 
should be amended and replaced accordingly.  

(19)  The  obligations  laid  down  in  the  Directives  listed  in  Annex  IX  to  Directive 
2000/60/EC are already incorporated in Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 
1996  concerning  integrated  pollution  prevention  and  control19  and  in  Articles  8,  10, 
Article 11(3)(g) and (h) and other provisions of Directive 2000/60/EC and, at least, the 
same  level  of  protection  is  guaranteed  if  the  environmental  quality  standards  are 
maintained or reviewed. In order to ensure a consistent approach to chemical pollution 
of surface waters and to simplify and clarify the existing Community legislation in that 
area,  it  is  appropriate  to  repeal,  pursuant  to  Article  16(10)  of  Directive  2000/60/EC, 
with  effect  from  2012,  Directive  82/176/EEC,  Directive  83/513/EEC,  Directive 
84/156/EEC, Directive 84/491/EEC and Directive 86/280/EEC. 

(20)  The  recommendations  referred  to  in  Article  16(5)  of  Directive  2000/60/EC,  in 
particular  those  of  the  Scientific  Committee  on  Toxicity,  Ecotoxicity  and  the 
Environment, were taken into account. 

(21)  Since  the  objectives  of  this  Directive,  namely  the  adoption  of  environmental  quality 
standards  for  water,  cannot  be  sufficiently  achieved  by  the  Member  States  and  can 
therefore,  by  reason  of  maintaining  the  same  level  of  protection  of  surface  water 
throughout  the  Community,  be  better  achieved  at  Community  level,  the  Community 
may  adopt  measures,  in  accordance  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  as  set  out  in 
Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out 
in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve 
those objectives. 

(22)  The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in 
accordance with Council Decision No 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the 
procedures  for  the  exercise  of  implementing  powers  conferred  upon  it  on  the 
Commission20, 

16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

OJ L 227, 8.9.1993, p. 9-18. 
OJ L 161, 29.6.1994, p. 3. 
OJ L 123, 24.4.1998, p. 1. 
OJ L 257, 10.10.1996, p. 26 
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
                                                 
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

Article 1 

Subject matter 

This Directive lays down environmental quality standards for priority substances and certain 
other pollutants.  

Article 2 

Environmental quality standards 

Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the  composition  of  their  surface  waters  complies 
with environmental quality standards for priority substances, expressed as an annual 
average and as a maximum allowable concentration, as laid down in Part A of Annex 
I and with environmental quality standards for pollutants listed in Part B of Annex I.  

Member States shall ensure compliance with the environmental quality standards in 
accordance with the requirements laid down in Part C of Annex I.  

Member States shall ensure, on the basis of monitoring of water status carried out in 
accordance with Article 8 of Directive 2000/60/EC, that concentrations of substances 
listed in Parts A and B of Annex I do not increase in sediment and biota. 

Member States shall ensure that the following concentrations of hexachlorobenzene, 
hexachlorobutadiene  and  mercury  are  not  exceeded  in  prey  tissue  (wet  weight)  of 
fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other biota:  

a) 

10 µg/kg for hexachlorobenzene,  

b) 

55 µg/kg for hexachlorobutadiene,  

c) 

20 µg/kg for methyl-mercury.  

For  the  purposes  of  monitoring  of  the  compliance  with  the  environmental  quality 
standards  of  substances  listed  in  the  first  subparagraph,  the  Member  States  shall 
either introduce a more stringent standard for water replacing the one listed in Part A 
of Annex I, or set up an additional standard for biota. 

The  Commission  shall  examine  technical  and  scientific  progress,  including  the 
conclusions of risk assessments as referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 16 (2) of 
Directive  2000/60/EC  and,  if  necessary,  propose  the  revision  of  the  environmental 
quality standards laid down in Parts A and B of Annex I to this Directive. 

The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 21(2) 
of  Directive  2000/60/EC,  set  up  the  compulsory  calculation  methods  referred  to  in 
the second paragraph of point 3 of Part C of Annex I to this Directive. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
Article 3 

Transitional area of exceedance 

Member  States  shall  designate  transitional  areas  of  exceedance,  where  the 
concentrations  of  one  or  more  pollutants  may  exceed  the  relevant  environmental 
quality standards as far as they do not affect the compliance of the rest of the surface 
water body with those standards. 

Member States shall delimit in each case the extent of the parts of the surface water 
bodies  adjacent  to  the  points  of  discharge  to  be  classed  as  transitional  areas  of 
exceedance, taking into account the relevant provisions of Community law.  

Member  States  shall  include  a  description  of  each  delimitation  in  their  river  basin 
management plans referred to in Article 13 of Directive 2000/60/EC. 

Member  States  shall  carry  out  the  review  of  the  permits  referred  to  in  Directive 
96/61/EC  or  of  the  prior  regulations  referred  to  in  Article  11(3)(g)  of  Directive 
2000/60/EC  with  the  view  to  progressively  reducing  the  extent  of  each  transitional 
area of exceedance, as referred to in paragraph 1, identified in water bodies affected 
by discharges of priority substances. 

The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 21(2) 
of Directive 2000/60/EC, set up the method to be used by the Member States for the 
identification of the transitional area of exceedance. 

Article 4 

Inventory of emissions, discharges and losses 

On  the  basis  of  the  information  collected  in  accordance  with  Articles  5  and  8  of 
Directive  2000/60/EC  and  under  Regulation  (EC)  No.  166/2006,  Member  States 
shall  establish  an  inventory  of  emissions,  discharges  and  losses  of  all  priority 
substances and pollutants listed in Parts A and B of Annex I for each river basin or 
its part within their territory. 

The reference period for the measurement of pollutant values to be entered into the 
inventories referred to in paragraph 1 shall be one year between 2007 and 2009. 

However, for priority substances or pollutants covered by Directive 91/414/EEC, the 
entries may be calculated as the average of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. 

Member States shall communicate the inventories established pursuant to paragraph 
1  of  this  Article,  including  the  respective  reference  periods,  to  the  Commission 
together with the river basin management plans reported in accordance with Article 
15(1) of Directive 2000/60/EC. 

Member  States  shall  update  their  inventories  as  part  of  the  reviews  of  the  analyses 
specified in Article 5 (2) of Directive 2000/60/EC.  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
The reference period for the establishment of values in the updated inventories shall 
be  the  year  before  that  analysis  is  to  be  completed.  For  priority  substances  or 
pollutants  covered  by  Directive  91/414/EEC,  the  entries  may  be  calculated  as  the 
average of the three years before the completion of that analysis. 

Member  States  shall  publish  the  updated  inventories  in  their  updated  river  basin 
management plans as laid down in Article 13 (7) of Directive 2000/60/EC.  

5. 

6. 

The Commission shall verify that emissions, discharges and losses as reflected in the 
inventory comply, by 2025, with the reduction or cessation obligations laid down in 
Article 4(1)(a)(iv) of Directive 2000/60/EC. 

The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 21(2) 
of  Directive  2000/60/EC,  set  up  the  method  to  be  used  by  the  Members  States  for 
establishment of the inventories. 

Article 5 

Amendment of Directive 2000/60/EC 

Annex X to Directive 2000/60/EC is replaced by the text set out in Annex II to this Directive. 

Article 6 

Amendment of Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC and 84/491/EEC 

Annex II to Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC and 84/491/EEC respectively 
is deleted. 

Article 7 

Amendment of Directive 86/280/EEC 

Headings B in Sections I to XI to Directive 86/280/EEC are deleted. 

Article 8 

Repeals 

1. 

2. 

Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC and 86/280/EEC are 
repealed with effect from 22 December 2012.  

Before 22 December 2012, Member States may carry out monitoring and reporting in 
accordance  with  Articles  5,  8  and  15  of  Directive  2000/60/EC  instead  of  carrying 
them out in accordance with the Directives referred to in paragraph 1.  

EN 

16 

   EN 

 
 
Article 9 

Transposition 

1. 

Member  States  shall  bring  into  force  the  laws,  regulations  and  administrative 
provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by [18 months after the entry into 
force  of  this  Directive]  at  the  latest.  They  shall  forthwith  communicate  to  the 
Commission  the  text  of  those  provisions  and  a  correlation  table  between  those 
provisions and this Directive. 

When  Member  States  adopt  those  provisions,  they  shall  contain  a  reference  to  this 
Directive  or  be  accompanied  by  such  a  reference  on  the  occasion  of  their  official 
publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.  

2. 

Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions 
of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. 

Article 10 

Entry into force 

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union. 

Article 11 

Addressees 

This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

EN 

17 

   EN 

 
ANNEX I: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY STANDARDS FOR PRIORITY 
SUBSTANCES AND CERTAIN OTHER POLLUTANTS 

PART  A:  Environmental  Quality  Standards  (EQS)  for  Priority  Substances  in  surface 
water  

AA: annual average;  

MAC: maximum allowable concentration. 

Unit: [µg/l].  

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

N° 

Name of substance 

CAS 
number 

AA-EQS21  

AA-EQS21 

MAC- EQS 22 

MAC-EQS22 

Inland surface 
waters 

Other surface 
waters 

Inland surface 
waters 

Other surface 
waters 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

Alachlor 

Anthracene 

Atrazine 

Benzene 

15972-60-8 

120-12-7 

1912-24-9 

71-43-2 

0.3 

0.1 

0.6 

10 

0.3 

0.1 

0.6 

8 

0.7 

0.4 

2.0 

50 

0.7 

0.4 

2.0 

50 

Pentabromodiphenylether23 

32534-81-9 

0.0005 

0.0002 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

Cadmium and its 
compounds 

(depending on water 
hardness classes24) 

7440-43-9 

≤ 0.08 (Class 1)  

0.2 

≤ 0.45 (Class 1) 

0.08 (Class 2) 

0.09 (Class 3) 

0.15 (Class 4) 

0.25 (Class 5) 

0.45 (Class 2) 

0.6 (Class 3) 

0.9 (Class 4) 

1.5 (Class 5) 

C10-13 Chloroalkanes 

85535-84-8 

Chlorfenvinphos 

470-90-6 

0.4 

0.1 

0.4 

0.1 

1.4 

0.3 

1.4 

0.3 

21 
22 

23 

24 

This parameter is the Environmental Quality Standard expressed as an annual average value (EQS-AA). 
This  parameter  is  the  Environmental  Quality  Standard  expressed  as  a  maximum  allowable 
concentration (EQS-MAC). Where the MAC-EQS are marked as "not applicable", the AA-EQS values 
are also protective against short-term pollution peaks since they are significantly lower than the values 
derived on the basis of acute toxicity.  
For  the  group of priority  substances  covered  by brominated  diphenylethers  (No.  5)  listed  in Decision 
2455/2001/EC, an EQS is established only for pentabromodiphenylether.  
For  Cadmium  and  its  compounds  (No.  6)  the  EQS  values  vary  dependent  upon  the  hardness  of  the 
water as specified in five class categories (Class 1: <40 mg CaCO3/l, Class 2: 40 to <50 mg CaCO3/l, 
Class 3: 50 to <100 mg CaCO3/l, Class 4: 100 to <200 mg CaCO3/l and Class 5: ≥200 mg CaCO3/l). 

EN 

18 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
(1) 

N° 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

Name of substance 

CAS 
number 

AA-EQS21  

AA-EQS21 

MAC-EQS22 

MAC-EQS22 

Inland surface 
waters 

Other surface 
waters 

Inland surface 
waters 

Other surface 
waters 

(9) 

Chlorpyrifos 

2921-88-2 

0.03 

(10) 

1,2-Dichloroethane 

107-06-2 

10  

(11) 

Dichloromethane 

75-09-2 

20 

(12) 

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 
(DEHP) 

117-81-7 

1.3 

(13) 

Diuron 

330-54-1 

0.2 

0.03 

10  

20 

1.3 

0.2 

(14) 

Endosulfan 

115-29-7 

0.005 

0.0005 

(15) 

Fluoranthene 

206-44-0 

0.1 

(16) 

Hexachlorobenzene 

118-74-1 

0.01 

(17) 

Hexachlorobutadiene 

87-68-3 

0.1 

0.1 

0.01 

0.1 

(18) 

Hexachlorocyclohexane 

608-73-1 

0.02 

0.002 

(19) 

Isoproturon 

34123-59-6 

0.3 

(20) 

Lead and its compounds 

7439-92-1 

7.2  

(21)  Mercury and its compounds 

7439-97-6 

0.05 

(22) 

Naphthalene 

91-20-3 

2.4 

(23) 

Nickel and its compounds 

7440-02-0 

20  

(24) 

Nonylphenol 

(25) 

Octylphenol 

25154-52-3 

1806-26-4 

0.3 

0.1 

0.3 

7.2 

0.05 

1.2 

20  

0.3 

0.01 

0.1 

0.1 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

1.8 

0.01 

1 

0.05 

0.6 

0.04 

1.0 

1.8 

0.004 

1 

0.05 

0.6 

0.02 

1.0 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

0.07 

0.07 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

2.0 

2.0 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

EN 

19 

   EN 

 
 
 
(1) 

N° 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

Name of substance 

CAS 
number 

AA-EQS21  

AA-EQS21 

MAC-EQS22 

MAC-EQS22 

Inland surface 
waters 

Other surface 
waters 

Inland surface 
waters 

Other surface 
waters 

(26) 

Pentachlorobenzene 

608-93-5 

0.007 

0.0007 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

(27) 

Pentachlorophenol 

87-86-5 

0.4 

0.4 

1 

1 

(28) 

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons 
(PAH)25 

not 
applicable 

not applicable 

not applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

Benzo(a)pyrene 

50-32-8 

0.05 

0.05 

0.1 

0.1 

Benzo(b)fluoranthene 

205-99-2 

Σ=0.03 

Σ=0.03 

Benzo(k)fluoranthene 

207-08-9 

Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 

191-24-2 

Σ=0.002 

Σ=0.002 

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene 

193-39-5 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

(29) 

Simazine 

122-34-9 

1 

1 

4 

4 

(30) 

Tributyltin compounds 

688-73-3 

0.0002 

0.0002 

0.0015 

0.0015 

(31) 

Trichlorobenzenes  
(all isomers) 

12002-48-1 

0.4  

(32) 

Trichloromethane 

67-66-3 

2.5  

0.4  

2.5  

(33) 

Trifluralin 

1582-09-8 

0.03 

0.03 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

not 
applicable 

25 

For  the  group  of  priority  substances  of  polyaromatic  hydrocarbons  (PAH)  (No.  28),  each  individual 
EQS  shall  be  complied  with,  i.e.,  the  EQS  for  Benzo(a)pyrene  and  the  EQS  for  the  sum  of 
Benzo(b)fluoranthene and Benzo(k)fluoranthene and the EQS for the sum of Benzo(g,h,i)perylene and 
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene must be met. 

EN 

20 

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PART B: Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for other Pollutants  

AA: annual average; 

MAC: maximum allowable concentration. 

Unit: [µg/l]. 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(1) 

N° 

Name of substance 

CAS 
number 

AA-EQS21  

AA-EQS21 

Inland surface 
waters 

Other surface 
waters 

MAC-EQS22  

Other surface 
waters 

MAC- 
EQS22 

Inland 
surface 
waters 

0.025 

0.025 

not applicable 

not applicable 

(1) 

DDT total26 

not 
applicable 

para-para-DDT 

50-29-3  

0.01 

0.01 

not applicable 

not applicable 

Aldrin 

Dieldrin 

Endrin 

Isodrin 

309-00-2 

Σ=0.010 

Σ=0.005 

not applicable 

not applicable 

60-57-1 

72-20-8 

465-73-6 

Carbontetrachloride 

56-23-5 

Tetrachloroethylene 

127-18-4 

Trichloroethylene 

79-01-6 

12 

10 

10 

12 

10 

10 

not applicable 

not applicable 

not applicable 

not applicable 

not applicable 

not applicable 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

26 

DDT  total  comprises  the  sum  of  the  isomers  1,1,1-trichloro-2,2  bis  (p-chlorophenyl)  ethane  (CAS 
number  50-29-3);  1,1,1-trichloro-2  (o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane  (CAS number  789-02-
6); 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (CAS number 72-55-9); and 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (p-
chlorophenyl) ethane (CAS number 72-54-8). 

EN 

21 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
PART C: Compliance with Environmental Quality Standards 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Column  4  and  5:  For  any  given  surface  water  body,  compliance  with  EQS-AA 
requires  that  for  each  representative  monitoring  point  within  the  water  body,  the 
arithmetic mean of the concentrations measured at different times during the year is 
below the standard.  

Column  6  and  7:  For  any  given  surface  water  body  compliance  with  EQS-MAC 
means that the measured concentration at any representative monitoring point within 
the water body must not exceed the standard. 

With the exception of cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel (hereinafter “metals”) the 
Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) set up in this Annex are expressed as total 
concentrations in the whole water sample. In the case of metals the EQS refers to the 
dissolved  concentration,  i.e.  the  dissolved  phase  of  a  water  sample  obtained  by 
filtration through a 0.45 µm filter or any equivalent pre-treatment.  

If natural background concentrations for metals are higher than the EQS value or if 
hardness,  pH  or  other  water  quality  parameters  affect  the  bioavailability  of  metals, 
Member  States  may  take  this  into  account  when  assessing  the  monitoring  results 
against  the  EQS.  If  they  choose  to  do  so,  the  use  of  calculation  methods  set  up 
pursuant to Article 2(5) is compulsory. 

EN 

22 

   EN 

 
 
ANNEX II: AMENDMENT OF ANNEX X OF DIRECTIVE 2000/60/EC 

Annex X of Directive 2000/60/EC is replaced by the following: 

‘ANNEX X 
LIST OF PRIORTY SUBSTANCES IN THE FIELD OF WATER POLICY (*) 

Number   CAS number1 

EU number2 

Name of priority substance 

Identified as 
priority 
hazardous 
substance 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

(11) 

(12) 

(13) 

(14) 

(15) 

(16) 

(17) 

15972-60-8 

240-110-8 

Alachlor 

120-12-7 

204-371-1 

Anthracene 

X 

1912-24-9 

217-617-8 

Atrazine 

71-43-2 

200-753-7 

Benzene 

not applicable 

not applicable  Brominated diphenylether (**) 

X (***) 

7440-43-9 

231-152-8 

Cadmium and its compounds 

85535-84-8 

287-476-5 

Chloroalkanes, C10-13 (**) 

470-90-6 

207-432-0 

Chlorfenvinphos 

2921-88-2 

220-864-4 

Chlorpyrifos 

107-06-2 

203-458-1 

1,2-dichloroethane 

75-09-2 

200-838-9 

Dichloromethane 

117-81-7 

204-211-0 

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 
(DEHP) 

330-54-1 

206-354-4 

Diuron 

115-29-7 

204-079-4 

Endosulfan 

959-98-8 

not applicable 

(Alpha-endosulfan) 

206-44-0 

205-912-4 

Fluoranthene (****) 

118-74-1 

204-273-9 

Hexachlorobenzene 

87-68-3 

201-765-5 

Hexachlorobutadiene 

X 

X 

X 

X 

X 

EN 

23 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(18) 

608-73-1 

210-158-9 

Hexachlorocyclohexane 

X 

(19) 

(20) 

(21) 

(22) 

(23) 

(24) 

58-89-9 

200-401-2 

(gamma-isomer, Lindane) 

34123-59-6 

251-835-4 

Isoproturon 

7439-92-1 

231-100-4 

Lead and its compounds 

7439-97-6 

231-106-7 

Mercury and its compounds 

91-20-3 

202-049-5 

Naphthalene 

7440-02-0 

231-111-14 

Nickel and its compounds 

25154-52-3 

246-672-0 

Nonylphenol 

104-40-5 

203-199-4 

(4-(para)nonylphenol 

(25) 

1806-26-4 

217-302-5 

Octylphenol 

140-66-9 

not applicable 

(Para-tert-octylphenol) 

608-93-5 

210-172-5 

Pentachlorobenzene 

87-86-5 

231-152-8 

Pentachlorophenol 

not applicable 

not applicable 

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons 

50-32-8 

200-028-5 

(Benzo(a)pyrene) 

205-99-2 

205-911-9 

(Benzo(b)fluoranthene) 

191-24-2 

205-883-8 

(benzo(g,h,i)perylene) 

207-08-9 

205-916-6 

(Benzo(k)fluoranthene) 

193-39-5 

205-893-2 

(Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene) 

122-34-9 

204-535-2 

Simazine 

(26) 

(27) 

(28) 

(29) 

(30) 

X 

X 

X 

X 

688-73-3 

211-704-4 

Tributyltin compounds 

X 

36643-28-4 

not applicable  Tributyltin-cation 

(31) 

12002-48-1 

234-413-4 

Trichlorobenzenes 

120-82-1 

204-428-0 

(1,2,4-trichlorobenzene) 

EN 

24 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(32) 

67-66-3 

200-663-8 

Trichloromethane 

(33) 

1582-09-8 

216-428-8 

Trifluralin 

(chloroform) 

1 
2 

(*) 

(**) 

CAS: Chemical Abstract Services 

EU-number:  European  Inventory  of  Existing  Commercial  Chemical  Substances  (EINECS)  or 
European List of Notified Chemical Substances (ELNICS). 

Where groups of substances have been selected, typical individual representatives are 
listed as indicative parameters (in brackets and without number).  

These  groups  of  substances  normally  include  a  considerable  number  of  individual 
compounds. At present, appropriate indicative parameters cannot be given. 

(***)  Only Pentabromobiphenylether (CAS-number 32534-81-9) 

(****)  Fluoranthene  is  on  the  list  as  an  indicator  of  other,  more  dangerous  Polyaromatic 

Hydrocarbons. 

. 

EN 

25 

   EN