1. Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC WFD Article 16 daughter Directive regarding Environmental Quality Standards for the Priority Substances

2. Priority List Proposal • Background of WFD obligations • Informal negotiations • Commission Proposal • Details of the Proposal • Expected timetable

3. Background of WFD obligations • Aim of achieving Priority List EQSs by 2015 subject to disproportionate cost provisions and extensions (Article 4) • To cease/phase out or to progressively reduce ‘discharges, emissions and losses’ of priority hazardous and priority substances respectively (Article 16)

4. Informal Negotiations • Extensive consultation of Member States and stakeholders experts from 2001 until 2004 • Opinion of Scientific Committee on EQS (May 2004) • Written consultation of draft proposal (non-paper) in June to Sept 2004

5. Commission Proposal • Proposal and associated documents published on 18 July 2006 • Considerably slimmed-down compared to 2004 draft • No additional control measures included

6. Details of the Proposal • WFD Article 4 provisions of objective-setting process not included regarding compliance with the EQSs • Commission to verify cessation/reduction obligations are met by 2025 for PHS/PS respectively • Precautionary EQSs

7. Expected Timetable • The EP First Reading is not scheduled during 2006. • Substantive discussion in Council Working Group expected under the German Presidency, January 2007