Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) - Guidance Papers

In May 2001 the EU Member States, Norway and the EU Commission worked out a “Common Implementation Strategy” for Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive). The Common Implementation Strategy aims first and foremost at supporting the implementation of the Water Framework Directive by working out coherent guidance papers for key areas of the Directive which are equally comprehensible for all stakeholders.

This Common Strategy relies above all on the exchange of information and experiences, the preparation of joint methods and approaches, the integration of experts from the candidate countries, and the involvement of interested groups within society. In the framework of the Common Implementation Strategy numerous working groups have been set up and joint projects have been launched for preparing and testing guidance papers. A strategic coordination group coordinated the work of these groups and reported directly to the Water Directors of the European Union and the Commission, who take the role of a subordinate decision-maker for this Common Implementation Strategy. The Guidance Papers worked out and further information can also be retrieved from the homepage of the European Commission.