UK Transposition

Transposing the Directive in the UK:

The WFD set out a timetable for both initial transposition into the laws of each Member State and, thereafter, for the implementation of requirements. The initial transposition had to be undertaken within 3 years of the enactment of the WFD (i.e. Dec 2003). In the UK, transposition was devolved to each of the countries.

Country	Lead Department *Competent Authority*	Relevant Legislation
England	The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs known as DEFRA has ultimate responsibility for implementation of the WFD: DEFRA *Environment Agency*: Environment Agency	The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Northumbria River Basin District) Regulations 2003
Wales	Welsh Assembly Government has the relevant powers to transpose the Directive in Wales by means of secondary legislation *Environment Agency:* Environment Agency	The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003
Scotland	Scottish Executive responsible for leading transposition process:Scotland government approach The *Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA):* SEPA	Leading legislation is the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003: WEWS Act
Northern Ireland	Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland is responsible for leading the implementation of WFD: www.doeni.gov.uk ] Environment and Heritage Service (Northern Ireland) is the competent authority: www.ehsni.gov.uk ]	The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

News

UK Draft River Basin Management Plans - now live

22-12-2008

Classification Scheme for Surface Waters

19-12-2007

Stakeholder Review 2007 submissions

17-09-2007

WFD research database.

19-04-2006