1. Review of Decision 2010/477/EU and MSFD Annex III
13th meeting of ESA working group
26-27 October 2015, Brussels
Review of Decision 2010/477/EU and MSFD Annex III
Current state of review
European Commission
DG Environment
Marine Environment and Water Industry Unit

2. For information of ESA WG members 1
For information of ESA WG members 1. Process of the review of Decision 2010/477/EU and MSFD Annex III 2. Cross-cutting issues paper 3. Annex III review

3. The review of Decision 2010/477/EU and MSFD Annex III
Response to findings of Commission’s Art. 12 report – insufficient clarity and coherence in the determination of GES
MSFD Regulatory Committee mandate in 2013 for review and possible revision of Decision 2010/477/EU and MSFD Annex III
Three phases:
Scientific and technical review
Consultation
Policy development

4. Main aims of a revised Decision & Annex III
Simpler;
Clearer;
Introducing minimum requirements (to be enhanced by regions and MS, if necessary);
Self-explanatory;
Coherent with other EU legislation;
Coherent with regional assessment methods (where EU methods do not exist);
Include a clear and minimum list of elements and/or parameters per descriptor (e.g. specified lists of contaminants, species, litter types, etc.).

5. GES Decision review – progress
Phase 1 – scientific and technical reviews
Technical review of Decision per Descriptor and Annex III – started in spring 2014, led by JRC and ICES and supported by expert networks and/or expert workshops
MS and stakeholder comments on draft 'manuals' in period up to spring 2015
Manuals finalised for WG GES (April) and Committee (May 2015)
Outstanding issues identified – short and longer-term actions, including further workshops on D1, D2 and D5
Phase 2 - consultation
Consultation with MS and stakeholders on manuals & Annex III: May-July 2015
Compilation of comments and analysis – August-September
Summary of comments -> WG GES (October)

6. GES Decision review – progress (2)
Phase 3 – Policy development until now
Jun. 15: Commission internal approval process started
Aug. 15 onwards: drafting of revised Decision and Annex III, taking account of review manuals and consultation comments
Aug. 15 onwards: discussions within DG Environment and other DGs (e.g. MARE, SANTE) to ensure coherence with other policies
Oct. 15: initial proposals on Descriptors 8 & 9 and on Annex III to WG GES

7. GES Decision review – timing of possible next steps
Phase 3- Policy development (possible next steps)
Nov. 15: first draft examples on descriptors to MSCG / first draft proposal for Annex III to Committee
Feb. 16: full text to MSFD Committee
May 16: possible vote in MSFD Committee
Autumn 16: formal adoption and publication (subject to favourable vote in Committee)

8. Cross-cutting issues Workshop (January 2015)
Cross-cutting issues paper to WG GES (April 2015)
MS and stakeholder comments on cross-cutting issues paper (May-June 2015)
Updated version to WG GES (October 2015), comments until end October

9. Annex III proposal Provides a clear link to Annex I descriptors
More clearly relates to Article 8 assessment needs
Needs to be fully compatible with a (revised) GES Decision
content may be adjusted as revised Decision develops
Table 1: Structure, functions and processes of marine ecosystems
Table 2a: Anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment
Table 2b: Uses and human activities in or affecting the marine environment (new table)