DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPEAN WATER POLICY

Significant changes to the existing European Community (EC) legislation for the protection of the aquatic environment are being contemplated by the EC Commission. In addition, the emphasis on sustainable development in the Fifth EC Environmental Action Programme will focus attention on economic instruments to be applied in support of legislation. The EC eco-labelling and auditing schemes, although voluntary, will lead to more environmentally acceptable products and processes. The paper discusses the likely future EC regulatory system for the protection of the aquatic environment and how the supporting EC initiatives will contribute to environmental improvements