Directive 2006/11/EC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community defines Standards for Phosphorus in waters.  Known as the Dangerous Substances Directive it replaces Directive 76/464/EEC. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I.684/2007 Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007

The prior assessment of Plans and Projects is regarded as a key step in the move towards sustainable development within the European Union.  The Amsterdam Treaty of 1997 confirmed sustainable development as an objective of the EU and required that environmental protection be integrated into all EU policies.  The SEA Directive, adopted in June 2001,...

Revised directives on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and major accident hazards (Seveso III) have been published following final approval by EU ministers. The recast WEEE directive applies tougher national collection targets The existing collection target – at least four kilograms per person from private households – will remain in place until the end...

The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is a law which aims to protect and improve the quality of all waters throughout the European Union. The key objectives of the Directive are to: protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems promote sustainable use of water provide for sufficient supply of good quality water provide enhanced protection and...

The European Commission has announced the final and biggest ever set of calls for proposals for research under its Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). €8.1 billion will support projects and ideas that will boost Europe’s competitiveness and tackle issues such as human health, protecting the environment and finding new solutions to growing challenges linked to urbanisation and...

The eco-innovation briefs are short reports highlighting selected findings from the Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) reports and analysis. Eco-Innovation Scoreboard: the 2011 Results The Eco-Innovation Challenge: Pathways to a resource efficient Europe The Eco-Innovation Scoreboard at a glance Eco-Innovators in Europe: Focus on Materials Innovation for Sustainable Water Introducing eco-innovation: from incremental changes to systemic transformations...

Eight more substances of very high concern (SVHC) have been added to the REACH Authorisation list, following a decision adopted by the European Commission on 14 February 2012.   The substances, with uses including plasticisers, pigments and  glass manufacture, are diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) diarsenic trioxide diarsenic pentaoxide lead chromate, lead sulfochromate yellow (C.I. Pigment Yellow 34), lead...