Revising the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

The impact assessment's strong points include a well-substantiated problem definition, an evidence base that appears to be recent and relevant, and a broad stakeholder consultation, the results of which were put to good use. However, the report's weak points limit its potential to inform decision-making clearly. Firstly, there appears to be a mismatch between the problem description, the objectives and the options of the IA. Secondly, the IA does not explain in sufficient detail why no alternatives were available to address certain problem drivers, and the resulting analysis of the options alongside the measures does not clarify what the real policy alternatives are. Thirdly, the content and choice of the preferred package of options are not entirely evident from the IA, as only the options, but not the measures, were compared based on the mandatory criteria of efficiency, effectiveness and coherence. Finally, the IA focuses on economic and environmental impacts, leaving impacts on health and competitiveness unaddressed.