1. The European Shared Environmental Information System Meropi Paneli
European Commission
Environment DG
Sustainable Development
and Integration Directorate
ePSIplus, Brussels, June2008

2. What is SEIS?
A collaborative initiative of the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA)
Establish together with the MSs an integrated and shared EU-wide environmental information system.
Tie in better all existing data gathering and information flows related to EU environmental policies and legislation using modern tools such as the internet, GIS and satellite technology.
Move away from paper-based reporting to a modern e-Reporting system based on a SEIS
Put into practice the principle 'monitor once for timely and multi-purpose uses'
Make environmental information more readily available and easier to understand to policy makers and the public
Now that the INSPIRE entered recently into force, Member States, their regions and the Commission are faced with important challenges related to its implementation.
Implementing INSPIRE will require commitment and efforts from many public authorities and organisations which are dealing with data related to the environment.
Faced with these challenges it may be worthwhile to look again at why we actually need an INSPIRE directive and how it fits in with recent environmental policy developments at Community level

3. The current fragmented reporting system
Why is SEIS needed?
Because EU Policy makers at all levels (local to European) are convinced that better decisions need better and more timely information
Because EU Member States deserves a modern, efficient and user friendly e-Reporting System to fulfil their reporting obligations related to European Union environmental policies and legislation, avoiding duplication of efforts, overlapping and redundancies
Once a Shared Environmental Information System exists all players can efficiently share information via shared areas
The current fragmented reporting system
Now that the INSPIRE entered recently into force, Member States, their regions and the Commission are faced with important challenges related to its implementation.
Implementing INSPIRE will require commitment and efforts from many public authorities and organisations which are dealing with data related to the environment.
Faced with these challenges it may be worthwhile to look again at why we actually need an INSPIRE directive and how it fits in with recent environmental policy developments at Community level

4. SEIS: Good decisions need the right information at the right time
What benefits will SEIS bring?
Better regulation, better policy
Empowering citizens
Simplification and Efficiency
Promoting Europe globally
Boosting Innovation and Intelligent eServices: eEurope, eGovernment, eEnvironment
SEIS: Good decisions need the right information at the right time

5. How will SEIS be built? A European Programme for SEIS
February 2008: SEIS Commission Communication
Establish a Political Framework for SEIS
Set-up conceptual principles of SEIS:
decentralised : data stored as close to source as possible
but integrated system
Practical measures to facilitate the implementation of SEIS
SEIS: Connecting systems, Connecting people for a better Environment

6. SEIS Implementation Plan: key elements
Political commitment: Council Conclusions (October 2008)
Practical measures to facilitate the implementation of SEIS
Reinforce the co-ordination of ongoing activities at European, national and regional level in line with SEIS
Ensure SEIS, INSPIRE, GMES are mutually supportive
Include SEIS in the eGovernment National Action Plans -Effectively liaise with Aarhus Convention Implementation and Directive - EEID (2003/4/EC)
Revision of standardised reporting directive to move towards an eReporting based on SEIS
Develop a SEIS Implementation Road map - Task Force: EC, EEA, MSs
Use of Community funds (structural, CIP, eContent LIFE+, Research) to complement MSs funding or building blocks of SEIS

7. Legal proposal: key elements
Paper reporting to be replaced by obligation to make information available using web-based technology
Obligation to provide national registers providing access to the required information
Periodicity of information obligations to be reviewed; in some case replace by obligation to keep information up-to-date
Streamlining/simplification/repeal of reporting obligations where appropriate

8. PILOTS Development and Prototyping of INSPIRE technical
specifications for air, water, waste and biodiversity Environmental
Monitoring Facilities ( )
Goal:
1. Prepare metadata and data specifications for the INSPIRE spatial data theme "Environmental Monitoring Facilities", EMF related to the environmental acquis in the areas of waste, water, biodiversity and air.
2. Implement and demonstrate INSPIRE Network Services based on the INSPIRE metadata, data specifications and service standards
Outcome:
i) Metadata and data profile(s) of the INSPIRE technical specifications,
ii) Register of relevant LMO,
iii) EMF metadata and data on-line (similar to

9. Development and demonstration of technical IT solutions for data
exchange and reporting under the CAFE Directive using
INSPIRE services ( )
Goal:
Implement data services, that fulfil the requirements of the draft
Implementing Provisions for the CAFE Directive integrated with the
applicable requirements in the INSPIRE Directive and draft INSPIRE IR in
the field of air quality;
Provide feedback from different geographic areas and levels of governance to the EC, DEG, EEA and MS to support the implementation of the CAFE and INSPIRE.
Outcome:
i) metadata for air quality data,
ii) data model for air quality and transformations
iii) Reporting prototype

10. Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) –Monitoring
Capacity: Baseline and Evolution Study ( )
Goals:
1. Provide a baseline assessment of the operational capacity of the 27 MS to collect
data for implementation of the environmental acquis including reporting
obligations, and the integration of environmental concerns in other policies.
2. Undertake a comparative analysis and fitness for purpose assessment
3. Propose alternative policy options for SEIS to overcome lack of comparability and
quality of data and assess cost-benefits
Outcome:
i) Design and populate database of operational programmes + SDIs to collect data
relevant to implementation of env. policy in MS
ii) Comparative analysis and fitness for purpose assessment via survey of user
organizations undertaking EIA/SEAs,
iii) Identification of policy options and delivery mechanisms (regulatory or non) and
impact assessment

11.  ENV-SEIS@ec.europa.eu
"If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost." Aristotle
Thank you! 