Priority Substances & WFD Classification

The Priority Substances Directive (a Daughter Directive of the Water Framewok Directive) entered into force on 13 January 2009.

As part of the Water Framework Directive, a European 'priority list' of substances posing a threat to or via the aquatic environment was established, with the aim of reducing (or eliminating) pollution of surface water (rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters) by the pollutants on the list.

There are currently 33 substances on this priority list, which was agreed in 2001 (Decision 2455/2001/EC), and the list forms part of the new directive (2008/105/EC). These substances are referred to as 'priority substances', and those which are thought to pose the greatest threat are further identified as 'priority hazardous substances'.

Public Consultation on draft Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations 1 June 2010

A public consultation on draft Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, which transpose the Directive, was launched on 1 June 2010 and ended on 10 August 2010.

The consultation sought views on proposed new Regulations which will transpose the requirements of the Priority Substances Directive (2008/105/EC) and which will provide a statutory basis for classification schemes in support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD).

The Priority Substances Directive, a daughter directive of the WFD, sets out a list of dangerous substances which present a significant risk to or via the aquatic environment and requires the progressive reduction or phasing out of these substances.

In order to achieve the objectives of the WFD, classification schemes are used to describe where the water environment is of good quality and where it may require improvement.

Download the consultation paper here (1.24 MB)

A synopsis of responses to the consultation is available at the link below:

Synopsis of responses to the Consultation (101 KB)

Following careful consideration of all the responses to the consultation, the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 were made on 21 January 2011. A Guidance Document has been prepared to accompany these Regulations. A copy of the Regulations, the Guidance Document and the Final Regulatory Impact Assessment can be accessed from the links below:

Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (182 KB)

Guidance on the Water Framework Directive (Priority Substances and Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (152KB)

Final Regulatory Impact Assessment (214 KB)