Harmonisation Activity Progress report Ana Cristina Cardoso

Proposal for revision of the CEN methods in Annex V of the WFD and identification of future standardisation items Version no.: 1.0 Date: 5 May 2006 Background and circulation: This version 1.0 has been prepared to consult the ECOSTAT experts over existing CEN standards and CEN standards in progress to be included in WFD. A second phase consultation on new work items (Work items proposed by CEN/TC 230/WG 2 for future standardisation and Work items proposed by ECOSTAT for future standardisation) is expected to be launched later this year (see below)` Timetable for finalisation: 8 May: Consultation phase 1: circulation of version 1.0 among ECOSTAT experts (existing standards and standards in progress) 6 June: Final deadline for comments phase 1

Comments received From Sweden, Norway, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Malta CEN standardisation for the WFD should focus on sampling, sorting, data quality and not on assessment and classification ISO methods on quality assurance and sampling, preservation and handling of samples are missing Need for methods to consider type specific features

Comments received Inclusion of alternative sampling methods could impede the comparability of results? Some detailed comments to methods Two methods not considered relevant for the list of WFD Annex V The relevance of inclusion of the Guidance standard for the routine sampling of zooplankton from standing waters questioned

Meeting CEN/TC 230 12-16 June 2006, Gothenburg Comments received from MS were requested to be addressed within the relevant TGs TGs were requested to ensure that potential new work items (with full description) which would support the WFD should be discussed within the TGs and reported back to WG2 All TGs were asked to include in their discussions the recommendations from the GIGs

Way forward A Proposal Version 2.0 will be prepared in light of comments from WG2 and ECOSTAT members End July: Consultation phase 2: circulation of version 2.0 among ECOSTAT experts (for identification of new standardisation items) September: Deadline for comments phase 2 October: presentation to WFD Committee. The result of phase 1 consultation will be presented as a draft Commission Decision for discussion