European Water Framework Directive

In 2000, the European Parliament and the European Council adopted the Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC) aimed at implementing comprehensive water protection in the European river districts. Among others, the ICPR and its Action Programme served as an example of transboundary co-operation within an international river basin district.

The European Water Framework Directive

modernizes and harmonizes European water legislation
considers a river basin district as an entity
requires transboundary, integrated assessment and management
drafts a list of priority substances
focuses on indicators given by nature
defines the good chemical status
defines the good ecological status
fixes 2027 as deadline for achieving the good status in all European water bodies (deadline extensions possible).

The ICPR programme "Rhine 2040" supports, among others, the requirements of the EG Water Framework Directive and the similar water policy of Switzerland in the Rhine catchment area.