1. Common Understanding Way forward
Drafting Group GES
Based on conclusions of WG GES 14
MSCG agenda items 5 B.b and 5 B.c
(Documents MSCG_ and -07)

2. Common Understanding revision
WG GES 10/2013 review mandate (topics in red have been addressed so far by DG GES):
MSFD concepts, in particular of GES and environmental targets
Role of indicators under MSFD
Clarification of MSFD terminology
Precautionary principle
Risk-based approach
GES and MPAs
Geographic scales for assessments, GES and targets
Assessment philosophy
Aggregation issues
WG GES 12/2014 draft sections
WG GES 13/2015 proposal for a way forward
Comments by 20 May 2015: RO, SE and UK
Written procedure of DG GES: proposal for WG GES 14

3. Relation of documents

4. „New approach“
Keep 2011 Common Understanding document, for the time being, for reference
Draft a follow-up document in the style of „Recommendations for implementation and reporting“ developed for Art. 11 and Art. 13:
High-level overview document with key messages
Tuned in tone, language and structure to provide MSFD implementers and the wider EU community with an overview of the implementation process for Art. 8, 9, 10
Make use of text elements available in the MSFD CIS process which are already agreed or discussed
Refer to specific documentation and guidance for details

5. Proposed way forward - part 1
Clarify role of the „cross-cutting issues“ (CCI) and relation to CU document:
Recommendation: Give CCI some formal standing as a basis for reference
Specific techncial guidance for GES assessment
Recommendation: Development of a specific guidance document with external support (e.g. through EU COM contracts) which is targeted to assist in practical application of CCI assessment concepts

6. Proposed way forward – part 2
Depending on the decision on the role of the „cross- cutting issues“ document and the development of specific technical guidance for GES assessment:
Draft outline of „Recommendations for implementing (and reporting?) of Articles 8, 9 and 10 MSFD“ at Annex 1 of document MSCG_
WG GES January 2016: first draft CU follow-up document
MSCG May 2016: finalised document as part of the documentation of the GES revision process
DE, FI, RO and UK committed to contribute to the drafting process

7. Development of assessment guidance
Phase 1: November 2015 – July 2016
Integrated presentation of assessment results in support of the Art. 8 update assessments for 2018
External support for drafting the guidance
WG GES Workshop end of March/beginning of April for discussion of a first draft, including worked-up examples: DG GES to prepare WS ToR for WG GES 15
DG GES to oversee and support the guidance development
WG GES to be regularly informed about progress
Close link to be made between WG GES, DIKE and ESA
MSCG in November 2016 to endorse first phase module of guidance

8. Development of assessment guidance
Phase 2: August
Guidance on individual assessment elements (uses/activities, pressures, impacts and state, methods for setting those assessments into relation to each other).
Builds on experience of the 2018 update of Art. 8 MSFD assessments and methodological progress made e.g. by Regional Sea Conventions
External support to draft guidance
DG GES to oversee and support the guidance development
DG GES to submit a proposal for the work in phase 2 to WG GES and MSCG in autumn 2016

9. Actions for MSCG – Part 1 MSCG_17-2015-05:
To discuss and conclude on the proposal for taking forward the revision of the Common Understanding document, taking note of the recommendation:
To clarify the respective roles of the Common Understanding document and the Commission document on cross-cutting issues (MSCG_ ), noting the proposal that the EU COM document receives a formal status
To prepare specific technical guidance for assessments under Art. 8 MSFD

10. Actions for MSCG – Part 2 MSCG_17-2015-07:
To endorse in principle the proposal for the development of technical guidance on assessment under Art. 8 MSFD
To provide guidance on the proposed scope of the technical guidance and arrangements for its preparation.