Overview of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS)

Implementation of the WFD raises challenges, which are widely shared by Member States. The Common Implementation Strategy for the WFD (known as the CIS) was established in recognition that an integrated approach to river basin management throughout Europe is crucial for the successful implementation of the Directive.

The strategic document establishing the CIS for the WFD was agreed in May 2001, under the Swedish Presidency. The purpose of the CIS to develop a common understanding and approach to implementation throughout the EU, elaborate informal technical guidance and share experiences between Member States to avoid duplication of effort and limit the risk of poor application of the requirements of the Directive

A number of key activities were identified where the Commission and Member States could work jointly under the CIS. These are:

• Information sharing;
• Development of guidance on technical issues;
• Information and data management;
• Carry out testing and validation in pilot river basins and,
• Integration of the WFD into other policy areas.

Main achievements to date

The main outputs of the CIS process up to October 2005 include:

1. 14 Guidance Documents and numerous Technical Reports on the various aspects and Article of the Directive;
2. Development of the prototype for reporting European wide information – the Water Information System for Europe (WISE);
3. Electronic newsletters providing updates on implementation throughout the EU; 
   
4. Initial testing and validation of guidance documents in the Pilot River Basins.

The main CIS outputs and links to other research currently being undertaken throughout Europe can be found in the relevant sections of this CD ROM.

CIS Work Programmes 2001 to 2005

Since 2001, the European Commission has produced a ‘Work Programme’ for CIS every two years.  The Work Programme is discussed and endorsed by the Water Directors and serve as a basis for the CIS work. This Work Programme outlines progress with implementation of the Directive, identifies how the CIS will be organised during that year, lists the key activities for the coming years and provides detailed mandates for how each of the groups will carry out the work. To find out more about the organisation and activities of the CIS since 2001, click on the relevant Work Programme below.

Newsletter

The WFD Newsletter was developed by the European Commission to provide information on the process for implementation of the Directive and to update interested parties on the work being done under the CIS. In June 2005, as part of a wider initiative, the European Commission launched the WISE Newsletter, which replaces and expands the WFD Newsletter to cover now a wider array of EU water policies. Its aim is to bring you up to date information on implementation on the different Directives legislation in preparation, research, demonstrations and other activities. The WISE newsletter will be published twice a year.  As of October 2005, three newsletters and one WISE newsletter have been published. To view the newsletters, click on the relevant link below.

You can always find the latest addition of the WISE newsletter in the public library of the European Commissions platform for information exchange CIRCA

Sources of additional information

Additional information relating to the WFD CIS can be found on the EUROPA website, and on CIRCA.