WFD list of priority substances

Introduction

The Water Framework Directive was voted by the European Parliament and the European Council in October 2000 and entered into force in December 2000. It aims to establish a legal framework for the protection of water quality in European countries (for river water, sea water, groundwater and coastal water). The directive recognizes that specific measures have to be adopted at a European level against water pollution by individual pollutants, or groups of pollutants, presenting a significant risk to the aquatic environment and water used for the production of drink water.

These measures aim to progressively reduce the level of pollution for 33 priority substances, which could threaten human health or ecosystems. The goal is to decrease naturally occurring pollutants to the background value and man-made synthetic pollutants to values close to zero. The complete removal of emissions from all potential sources is obviously impossible for substances produced through natural processes, but the legal framework should prevent all emissions and discharges of those priority substances which derive from human activities.

The list of 33 priority substances was composed by the European Commission with a panel of experts in the field of chemistry and maritime pollution, delegates of the member states and European firms and the European Environment Agency.

Hazardous substances are defined in the Water Framework Directive as "substances or groups of substances that are toxic, persistent and liable to bio-accumulate, and other substances or groups of substances which give rise to an equivalent level of concern".

List of priority substances

The following substances and chemical compounds are included in the list of priority substances established by the European Union :

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WFD list of priority substances

Introduction

List of priority substances