1. Agenda item 6e) Update on progress elaboration of Article 4.7 Guidance
Meeting of the Strategic Coordination Group (SCG) for the WFD Common Implementation Strategy
17-18 May 2017, Brussels

2. Ad-hoc Task Group Article 4(7)
Ad-hoc Task Group Hydromorphology

3. CIS Work Program 2016-2018: Elaboration of CIS Guidance on WFD Article 4(7)
2008: CIS Guidance No. 20 on Environmental Objectives and Exemptions – includes also chapter on Art. 4(7)
Since then Member States gained valuable practical experience
Current CIS Work Programme : Request to develop specific Guidance on Art. 4(7)
Scope: Application of Art. 4(7) and interplay with other EU environmental directives, including
Habitats Directive
EIA and the SEA Directives
Floods Directive, MSFD, …
Application of Art. 4(7) also to be seen in the context of
Renewable Energies Directive
TEN-T and TEN-E
CEF, Rural Development Programmes, etc.

4. Article 4(7) Guidance: Steps taken
Specific 4(7) Ad-hoc Task Group (ATG) established, co-chaired by BE, FR, WWF and COM
Objective: Guidance should be practical, provide useful information and technical advice, however
Cannot provide an exhaustive and detailed methodology for all potential cases
Steps taken:
A number of practical case studies collected and Key Issue Paper as input for Workshop elaborated
13-14 December 2016, Brussels: Workshop on Article 4(7)
February 2017: First draft of Guidance elaborated and provided for comments to 4(7) ATG
Presentation and discussion in WG ECOSTAT, Floods, Groundwater
Draft 2 currently in finalisation stage
SCG continuously kept informed about progress

5. D R A F T
Draft CIS Guidance on Article 4(7)

6. Draft CIS Guidance WFD Article 4(7) Draft contents
INTRODUCTION
INTEGRATION OF SECTOR POLICIES
Transport, energy, flood risk management, marine
European Funding Instruments
Climate change as a cross-cutting issue
Other environmental policies
SCOPE OF ARTICLE 4(7) AND APPLICABILITY
Recap WFD Objectives
Scope of Article 4(7)
Conditions triggering an Article 4(7) Test
Effects on other water bodies and cumulative effects
Managing uncertainty
Article 4(7) Assessment and streamlining with other Directives
Approach
Streamlining of assessments with the EIA and Habitats Directive
D R A F T

7. Draft CIS Guidance WFD Article 4(7) Draft contents
ARTICLE 4(7) TEST AND RELATIONSHIP TO THE RBMPs
Step-wise approach for an Article 4(7) Test
Taking all practicable steps to mitigate adverse impacts
Assessing significantly better environmental options
Weighing interests: Overriding public interest / benefits versus impacts
Relationship to the River Basin Management Plans
OUTLOOK AND FOLLOW-UP
ANNEX
D R A F T

8. Draft CIS Guidance WFD Article 4(7) Tables, figures and flow-charts

9. Next steps Draft 2 of CIS Guidance on Article 4(7) Further elaborated
Taking into account comments received
Integration of practical case studies
1-2 June 2017: Meeting of Ad-hoc Task Group on Article 4(7)
More detailed discussion and exchange
Step towards elaboration of draft 3 of the Guidance
Step-wise further elaboration during 2017
Tentative 2nd Meeting of Ad-hoc Task Group in autumn 2017
Finalisation envisaged by the end of 2017

10. Thank you for your attention http://water. europa
Thank you for your attention Disclaimer: "The views expressed in this presentation are purely those of the writer and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission."