2. GENERIC ISSUES
2.1 Use of EQSs in waterbody classification
The WFD establishes a framework for protection of all surface waters and groundwaters, with an
obligation to prevent any deterioration of status, and to achieve good status, as a rule by 2015. The
overall good status is reached for a certain waterbody if both ecological and chemical status are
classified as good.
EQSs established at EU level by the EQS Directive (2008/105/EC) for the 33 priority substances
and 8 other pollutants are used within the WFD to assess the chemical status of a waterbody.
Good chemical status is achieved where a surface waterbody complies with all the environmental
quality standards listed in Part A of Annex I of EQS Directive and applied according with the