1. The Commission Communication on implementation (COM (2012) 95) in relation to Water Industry Directives (Urban Waste Water Treatment, Drinking Water, Bathing Water Directives)
SCG May 2012

2. Previous Implementation Communications
BACKGROUND
Previous Implementation Communications
2007 “A Europe of Results” , COM(2007)502 – implementation policy for whole Commission
2008 Communication on implementing environment law, COM(2008)773 – strategic infringement priorities for environment
SCG May 2012

3. 2012 Implementation Communication
BACKGROUND
2012 Implementation Communication
Implementation one of 3 priorities of Commissioner Potočnik
Objective to complement rather than replace earlier communications
Not an infringement communication
Focus on improving information systems and checks and balances at national level
2 themes: Knowledge and responsiveness
Adopted 7 March 2012
Helps set scene for 7th Environmental Action Programme
SCG May 2012

4. OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATION - KNOWLEDGE
Improve Member State information systems
Access to Information Directive – promote active dissemination
SIIFs (Structured Implementation and Information Frameworks), SEIS (Shared Environmental Information System) – practical tools to establish good information systems
EU funding
Improve EU-level Information
Online information, score-boards, Spatial reporting formats (SEIS, INSPIRE)
Confidence in MS information
Ensure reliability of state-of-environment monitoring systems
Increased role for EEA in processing implementation information
Close certain information gaps
SCG May 2012

5. OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATION - RESPONSIVENESS
Improve Inspections and surveillance
Member State level: Upgrade existing framework for inspections and surveillance
Member State level: Sector-specific measures
EU level: Explore different options
Complaint-handling and mediation
Explore an initiative on national complaint-handling
Improve access to justice
Guidance on existing ECJ case-law
Explore options for defining at EU level conditions on access to justice
Capacity-building
Network co-operation
Partnership implementation agreements
SCG May 2012

6. FOLLOW UP TO COMMUNICATION
7th Environmental Action Programme
Stakeholder consultation until June 2012
Questions related to content of Communication
Implementation to be a key theme of COM 7th EAP proposal
Work to explore options on following
Inspections and surveillance
National complaint-handling
Access to justice
Range of non-legislative initiatives
Example: SEIS Implementation Plan
SCG May 2012

7. Better implementation of Water Industry Directives
Better implementation is THE priority (i.e. more efficient, timelier, etc)
Three main tiers,
Enhancing compliance
Through legal action for EU 15,
Through compliance promotion for EU 12,
Supportive use of EU Funds, namely for EU 12
Improving information: EU BWD as a model
SCG May 2012

8. UWWTD – reporting and funding
All 27 MS reported nearly on time, QA/QC completed, first assessments emerging, preliminary report to be released in Autumn 12
Strengthening links with the WFD and the use of EU funds
New planning exercise
Identify main needs (i.e. “urban” pollution to be tackled)
Propose adequate actions (i.e. those defined in the Directive)
Milestones and deadlines to be agreed at bilateral basis
SCG May 2012

9. Bathing Water system as a model
Further development of Information System for the UWWTD – link to national systems
Bathing Water system as a model
Timely information, accessible and easy to use, direct information on compliance
Re-focussing the reporting exercise, allowing:
Report once, use many times
Targeting national or local levels
Information on agglomerations and plants (e.g. compliance, planning, concerned authority)
Flexible use (e.g. geo-referenced, queries)
Crossed assessment (WFD, BWD)
SCG May 2012

10. UWWTD in EU 12 : Next DG ENV to
Ensure a joint approach of different policies: environment, regional development, communication.
Identify and prepare appropriate tools (information, meetings, etc)
Agree with authorities to start implementation of the new approach (start with two “volunteer” Member States in 2012)
SCG May 2012

11. Bathing Water Directive
2011 report to be released soon
End of transitional arrangements approaching
Experience gained to be consolidated
Addressing pending issues
Start crossed assessment with
Water Framework Directive
UWWTD
SCG May 2012

12. Drinking Water Directive – enhanced implementation/enforcement of the current legislation
Increase reporting under WISE
Adapt annexes II and III of the Directive through regulatory procedure with scrutiny
Improve drinking water quality for the smaller water supplies by promoting a risk based approach for more ---effective quality control
SCG May 2012

13. DWD - State of play
1. Regular reporting – 3 MS didn’t report; preliminary feedback on the reporting – fall 2012; Synthesis report
2. Revision of the annexes –discussed with the Regulatory Committee (April 2012) – work plan to be agreed;
3. Small Water Supplies
–(a) reporting exercise for the smaller water supplies – report estimated for fall 2012
- (b) workshop Nov 2011-> drafting group on Small Water Supplies->Paper “Framework for action” presented to the Regulatory Committee -> mandate for further implementation of risk management approach and work plan agreed
intention for completion of the drafts (Annexes and framework for action) – January 2013 (next Regulatory Committee)
SCG May 2012

14. Next steps
Document for Water Directors, focussing on UWWD new approach for EU12
Publication of BW report in May, UWWD and DWD reports (preliminary in autumn)
Develop ideas from Implementation Communication with some volunteer MS
Link reporting and assessment closer to WFD
SCG May 2012