WG 2.5 Intercalibration

Intercalibration guidance Final version made available 15 November Policy summary made available 19 November Focus of guidance: Common Unterstanding and Synthesis of the intercalibration process Guidance of the establishment of the intercalibration network Preliminary technical protocol for the intercalibration exercise

Purpose of intercalibration Annex V, 1.4.1(iii-iv): The value for the boundary between the classes of high and good status, and the value for the boundary between good and moderate status shall be established through the intercalibration exercise described below. The Commission shall facilitate this intercalibration exercise in order to ensure that these class boundaries are established consistent with the normative definitions in Section 1.2 and are comparable between Member States.

Limitations of intercalibration Synthesis (Section 3): Full intercalibration not possible in the given time frame timetable constraints problems with data availability Intercalibration will be limited: types pressures quality elements

Need for a long-term perspective Objectives of intercalibration can only be partially met in a single intercalibration ending 2006 (as required by WFD) Need for a review mechanism legal possibilities (taking into account WFD Art. 19, 20,21) need to be clarified practical consequences for RBMP and programmes of measures need to be clarified This is proposed to be addressed next spring in the CIS continuation (Ecological Status Cluster)

Intercalibration network Annex V, 1.4.1(v): For each surface water body type selected, the network shall consist of at least two sites corresponding to the boundary between the normative definitions of high and good status, and at least two sites corresponding to the boundary between the normative definitions of good and moderate status. The sites shall be selected by expert judgement based on joint inspections and all other available information.

Guiding principles site selection process Keep to WFD time table: draft register in 2003 Member States will select sites for draft register IC sites represent MS views of the high-good and good-moderate boundaries - not a common view Differences in MS views of class boundaries will be reflected in the draft IC network IC Guidance: procedure to achieve maximum consistency between MS involving expert groups

Preliminary technical protocol for the intercalibration exercise No clear overview what data can be expected from intercalibration sites Unclear if there will be major differences in MS interpretations of the normative definitions This will become more clear after completion of the planned metadata analysis (2003) The Intercalibration WG (Ecological Status cluster) will develop further guidance in 2003-4

The European Centre for Ecological Water Quality and Intercalibration Mission To provide a scientific and technical platform for the organisation of the intercalibration exercise(s) To constitute a long-term focal point for the harmonisation of national ecological quality assessment systems in EU, independent of any commercial or national interests http://ies.jrc.cec.eu.int/eewai