EU
Provisional agreement reached on revisions to Water Framework
Directive
The European Council and Parliament have agreed to update the
lists of ground and surface water pollutants under the Water
Framework Directive, Environmental Quality Standards Directive and
Groundwater Directive, which will be amended accordingly. New
substances added to the list will include certain PFAS (forever
chemicals), a range of pesticides and some pharmaceuticals,
including forms of antibiotics. A watch list containing substances
of potential concern will also be established. Certain short-term
exemptions will be available to Member States under the
amendments.
The new directive will have to be formally adopted by the
European Council and Parliament. It will enter into force 20 days
after publication in the Official Journal. Member States must
transpose the directive by 22 December 2027.
