An important goal of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is to achieve good chemical status of surface waters by 2015. According to Article 1(c) "specific measures for the progressive reduction of discharges, emissions and losses of priority substances" must be implemented. For the priority hazardous substances, discharges, emissions and losses must be stopped or phased-out. The German Federal Environment Agency published this report, which Ecologic contributed to.

The goal of this project was, on the one hand, to analyse the emission situation of the 33 priority substances and to work out propositions to limit emissions, taking particular account of the situation in Germany. On the other hand, the goal was to technically monitor and support the ongoing work at EU-level, including a juridical examination of the EU-Commission's proposals.

Substance-specific data sheets were compiled for the 33 priority substances in order to present the information and data in a compact form. The relevance of the substances for Germany was evaluated based on the existing monitoring data, current use and emission situation. The important emission paths were analysed in detail for those substances relevant in Germany. Subsequently, national options for action were then identified and described.

The report is available for download at the website of the German Federal Environment Agency. The publication includes results of the Ecologic Project Priority substances in the Water Framework Directive.