1. WG GES, 6 December 2016, Brussels
MSFD CIS work plan :
elements for WG GES
WG GES, 6 December 2016, Brussels
European Commission
DG Environment
Marine Environment and Water Industry Unit

2. WG GES Task Indicative timeline Output
Revision and finalisation of Common Understanding Document on Art. 8, 9 and 10
Mid 2017
Guidance / Recommendations to be adopted by MSCG
Development of Guidance on Article 8 assessments
2018
Ensure coordination and cooperation in GES determination in the marine regions, including the development of guidance, notably through the finalisation of the Cross Cutting Issues paper
Recommendations to be adopted by MSCG/other documents as appropriate
Development of reporting on environmental status and predominant pressures and impacts (Article 8.1 a & b) (together with WG DIKE)
Guidance / Recommendation for reporting
Develop technical guidance on the setting of environmental targets under Art. 10: this links with the Art 8 assessments, as non-achievement of GES should inform the need for targets to reduce pressures
2017
Guidance/ Recommendations to be adopted by MSCG
Follow-up to revised GES Decision and Annex III MSFD, including work on threshold values, integration rules  and on the risk-based approach 
Progressively to 2018
Recommendations and possible guidance to be adopted by MSCG
Work related to assessments feeding into Art. 20.3(b) report
By 2019
Technical advice (together with WG POMESA and WG DIKE)
Link to assessments and monitoring under other EU legislation and policies
Ongoing