Standards in the Shellfish Waters Directive

Standards in the Bathing Water Directive

Whereas the EQSs discussed elsewhere are set to protect all features of an ecosystem (with the caveats indicated there and in Appendices B and C), standards for a range of toxic and non-toxic contaminants have been set separately in order to meet specific Directive requirements. The standards for two of these - the Shellfish Waters and the Bathing Water Directives - are likely to be frequently encountered by conservation agency staff and are presented here. These standards are provided to staff as an indication of the levels that may be set, especially for non-toxic contaminants, to meet specific Directive requirements. They are, however, not necessarily or generally applicable for the protection of SAC or SPA features, but may help in appreciating the broad levels of contamination by some of these substances that may be acceptable, or alternatively which may cause concern.

The standards in the Shellfish Waters Directive are applicable only in designated shellfish waters and are designed to protect shellfish populations that are harvested for human consumption.

The standards in the table above were stipulated in the Directive, although the scientific reasoning for their derivation is unknown. The environment agencies are obliged to meet the imperative (mandatory) (I) standards in designated shellfish waters. Where such waters have been designated within European marine sites, the conservation agencies should argue that guidelines values, at least, should be met. There may be a requirement for higher standards to secure the favourable condition of SAC features of interest (see table linked below).

The standards in the Bathing Water Directive are only applicable in designated bathing waters during the bathing season and are designed to protect human health from the microbiological components of sewage and, to a lesser extent, the aesthetic appearance of the bathing waters.

The standards in the table linked below were stipulated in the Directive and the reasoning behind their derivation is not known. The environment agencies are obliged to meet the imperative (mandatory) (I) standards in designated bathing waters during the bathing season. However, the Government has indicated that progress towards achievement of guideline values should be made more swiftly. However, conservation agencies should note that, again, higher standards may be required to protect SAC features.

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