Summary
The European Commission has launched a **four-week call for evidence** to support a review and targeted revision of the **Water Framework Directive (WFD)**, the main EU law for protecting and improving the status of Europe's waters. The goal is to **boost circularity and access to critical raw materials** in the EU, while maintaining high standards that protect **human health** and the **environment**. This initiative is part of the **RESourceEU Action Plan**, which aims to secure the EU's supply of critical raw materials. The call for evidence is open until **14 April** and encourages participation from **stakeholders**, including businesses, civil society, and water management companies. The WFD has been in place since **2000** and requires Member States to ensure that all surface water and groundwater achieve **good quality status**. For more information, visit the Commission's **Have Your Say portal** and learn about the [[water-framework-directive|Water Framework Directive]] and the [[resourceeu-action-plan|RESourceEU Action Plan]]. The EU's water policy is also connected to the [[european-green-deal|European Green Deal]] and the [[circular-economy|circular economy]] concept.
Key Takeaways
- The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on the revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD)
- The call for evidence is open until 14 April
- The WFD has been in place since 2000
- The revision of the WFD aims to boost circularity and access to critical raw materials while maintaining high environmental and health standards
- The outcome of the call for evidence and the revision process is uncertain
Balanced Perspective
The revision of the WFD is a complex process that requires careful consideration of the **environmental, social, and economic implications**. While the EU aims to boost circularity and access to critical raw materials, it is essential to ensure that the revised legislation **maintains high standards** for protecting human health and the environment. The call for evidence is an important step in this process, as it allows stakeholders to provide input and feedback on the WFD and its implementation. The EU's approach to water policy is also influenced by the [[sustainable-development-goals|Sustainable Development Goals]] and the [[paris-agreement|Paris Agreement]].
Optimistic View
The revision of the WFD is a crucial step towards **enhancing the EU's water resilience** and **strategic autonomy** in critical raw materials. By simplifying the legislation and addressing regulatory bottlenecks, the EU can **boost circularity and access to critical raw materials** while maintaining high environmental and health standards. This initiative has the potential to **support the EU's industrial sectors**, such as automotives and aerospace, and contribute to the EU's **competitive advantage**. The call for evidence is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input and shape the future of EU water policy, which is connected to the [[industrial-policy|industrial policy]] and the [[competitiveness|competitiveness]] of the EU.
Critical View
The revision of the WFD may **compromise the EU's environmental and health standards** in favor of boosting circularity and access to critical raw materials. The simplification of the legislation and the addressing of regulatory bottlenecks may **weaken the protection of Europe's waters** and have negative impacts on the environment and human health. The call for evidence may be **biased towards the interests of businesses and industries**, rather than considering the broader social and environmental implications. This initiative is also connected to the [[environmental-impact-assessment|environmental impact assessment]] and the [[health-impact-assessment|health impact assessment]].
Source
Originally reported by environment.ec.europa.eu