When will EQSs be available for Priority Substances?

The European Commission formally adopted a proposal for a priority substances daughter Directive of the WFD in July 2006 (this proposal was originally expected in December 2003). It contains Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs?) for the 33 priority substances to apply across the whole of the EU. The proposal will not come immediately into force - it must be formally negotiated, discussed and agreed under the “Co-decision” process involving both the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

The WFD sets a default date of December 2006 after which, if a proposed Directive has not been agreed, Member States shall establish their own EQSs? for priority substances. The Commission, mindful of the delay to this proposal, has however advised member States that while the proposal remains the subject of formal negotiation, this default date will not be enforced.