1. Taking forward the common understanding of Art. 8, 9 and 10 MSFD
Uli Claussen
&
Andrea Weiß
WG GES co-lead

2. Review Common Understanding mandate
MSFD concepts, in particular of GES and environmental targets
Role of indicators under MSFD
Clarification of MSFD terminology
Precautionary principle
Risk-based approach
GES and MPAs
Geographic scales for assessments, GES and targets
Assessment philosophy
Aggregation issues

3. Where do we stand? Achievements:
Draft section on the basic understanding of MSFD concepts and terms
Revised glossary
Considerations on the precautionary principle
-> Need to be finalised for agreement
Challenges:
Common interpretation of main MSFD concepts as a basis for the review/revision of COM Dec 2010/477/EU and Annex III MSFD
Progress on questions auch as assessment framework, aggregation
Progress on aggregation rules and geographic scales, which require comprehensive and detailed technical guidance to be meaningful for application.

4. Which activities relate to the CU?
Cross-cutting document
Reviewed and possible revised COM Decision 2010/477/EU and Annex III MSFD
Planned technical guidance to accompany the revised EU COM Decision: interpretation and application of the Decision
Planned online glossary for MSFD
Guidance towards geographic scales and aggregation rules

5. What can the revised CU deliver?
Selfstanding umbrella document
Background and documentation of MSFD implementation
Transparency and continuity of the implementation process
A common language (see revised glossary)
Read across different EU legal frameworks (e.g. WFD, HD)
Read across MSFD Articles and their implementation and reporting
Read across MSFD documentation interpreting, specifying and guiding application of MSFD
High-level recommendations on common understanding of main MSFD requirements
Umbrella with reference to technical specifications and guidance. There is a particular urgent need for technical guidance on the assessment of GES in 2018, which would need to be delivered in a separate document.

6. Role of the CU document?
Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC
Interpretation of MSFD:
Recommendations for implementation and reporting
Specification of MSFD:
Requirements for future implementation
Application of MSFD: Technical guidance translating interpretation and specification into practical application
Common Understanding
Art. 8, 9, 10
CSWD Art. 12 incl. Annex IV
Online glossary
Recommendations Art. 11
Cross-cutting document
Towards a guidance on geographic scales and aggregation rules
Recommendations Art. 13
Recommendations Art. 15
(Revised) COM Dec 2010/477/EU
(Revised) Annex III MSFD
Guidance on assessments
Etc.
Guidance on COM Dec
Technical guidance on monitoring etc.

7. Way forward Principles for revising the CU:
Do not duplicate efforts and contents
Leave details to technical guidance for the practical application
Provide high-level conclusions and agreements in a clear way, consistent with other documentation
Do not preempt technical discussions but conclude agreements on the basis of those discussions
Initiate and support discussions as part of the review process for shaping GES assessment framework through a step-wise development, giving emphasis to specification through application-orientated guidance

8. Way forward Next steps to progress on the CU revision
20 May 2015: MS invited to submit comments on the role of the CU and taking its revision forward
15 June 2015: Based on comments received, DE to work up a proposal for taking work forward
October 2015: DE reports to WG GES on progress