1. WG 2.5 Intercalibration

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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.

7. 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

9. 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

10. 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