Water policy: establishment of environmental quality standards (EQS)

The Commission accepted, in full, in part or in principle, 29 of the 71 amendments adopted by the European Parliament following its first reading. 22 amendments have now been incorporated either verbatim, in part or in spirit, in the common position.

The Commission accepted all those amendments which sought to clarify the scope of the proposal. The Commission did not accept those amendments which introduced additional substances into the list or which changed the classification of “priority hazardous substances”, given that this is not in line with the scope of the proposal and the provisions of relevant Community law. Further, the Commission rejected all those amendments which duplicate obligations already provided for under the Water Framework Directive, or which affect the Commission’s right of initiative.

The Council has agreed to incorporate several of the Parliamentary amendments, either verbatim, in part or in spirit, because they offer clarification or because they develop the Commission’s proposal in more detail. However, most of the amendments have not been incorporated into the common position given that the Council agrees with the Commission in terms of them being either unnecessary and/or undesirable.

The Commission is of the view that the common position adopted by qualified majority, alters neither the aims nor the approach of the initial proposal and can therefore support it as it stands.