EurEau News
Speaking out
On 5 May, Oliver Loebel, EurEau Secretary General, spoke at the 3rd INCITE Workshop on Innovative Techniques for the Management of PFAS in Sectors under the IED, organised by the JRC in Sevilla.
Also on 5 May, Sébastien Mouret, EurEau Policy Advisor, joined a panel discussion on water resilience at the Circular Economy Forum, organised in Brussels by The Parliament magazine.
On 18 May, Martin Silič, EurEau Policy Advisor, gave an interview on the resilience of critical infrastructure in the lead-up to the CIPRE Conference, which will take place in Brussels on 20-22 October.
EU news
Water legislation
New WFD guidance shows no need for revision
New guidance from the Commission on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) clarifies how existing legislation allows strategic projects to move forward while complying with water protection rules.
This confirmed what water services have consistently highlighted: there is no need to revise the WFD. Doing so would risk weakening water protection standards and shifting costs from polluters to taxpayers and water bills, all without addressing the real bottlenecks.
Read our full reaction here.
Recast UWWTD: European Parliament Motion for Resolution on a stop the clock for EPR postponed twice
The EPP political group of Christian Democrats in the European Parliament is preparing a motion for resolution to stop the clock – or, pausing or delaying the implementation timeline without formally reopening or repealing it – on extended producer responsibility in the recast UWWTD.
While the ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists), PfE (Patriots for Europe) and ESN (Europe of Sovereign Nations) groups support the proposal, it is opposed by Renew Europe, S&D (Socialists and Democrats), The Left and Greens/EFA. The EPP (European People’s Party), the Parliament’s largest political group, is currently working on a compromise text. However, the vote on the resolution, which was initially scheduled for 30 April, has been postponed twice: first to the May Plenary (21 May) and later to the June Plenary (15-18 June).
Water and the environment
Bisphenols: ECHA to re-launch restriction proposal
Germany submitted an intention to restrict the placing on the market of bisphenols with endocrine disrupting properties for the environment and their salts. The intention is far more limited than the initial proposal of some years ago. It will only include BPA, BPB, BPS, BPF and BPAF and target high-emission uses such as leather tanning and leather articles, textile finishing agents and textile articles, thermal paper and articles and mixtures made from PVC. The restriction proposal is expected by March 2027.
We support a full ban of BPA and other bisphenols with similar properties.
Our position is here.
PFAS restriction: EurEau submits reaction to final ECHA consultation
The final ECHA consultation on a PFAS restriction, focusing on socioeconomic aspects, ended on 25 May. We provided detailed feedback referencing new studies on the cost of PFAS pollution and presenting readily available alternatives to fluorinated gases.
ECHA is expected to transmit its finalised restriction proposal to the Commission at the end of this year. Shortly after, the Commission is expected to publish their own REACH restriction proposal. While there seems agreement to cover consumer uses, the position on industrial uses is still vague. Derogations are likely for ‘critical applications’ ‘under strict conditions until acceptable substitutes are found’.
Water and agriculture
Food and Feed omnibus: Water protection under threat
In December 2025, the Commission presented legislative proposals to weaken pesticide approval procedures and facilitate aerial spraying.
We fear that a number of the changes will significantly weaken the protection of drinking water resources and lead to conflicts with the Drinking Water Directive.
Council adopted its negotiating mandate on parts of the Commission proposals excluding pesticide approvals.
Our position is here.
Fertilisers: Commission publishes Action Plan
On 19 May, the Commission adopted its Fertiliser Action Plan, setting out measures to accelerate the transition to bio-based, low-carbon and circular fertilisers.
We welcome the plan’s ambition to increase circularity and its recognition that bio-based fertilisers face regulatory and market-entry barriers. The Action Plan highlights that the forthcoming Biotech Act II proposal (see next item) could help create lead markets through minimum bio-based blending requirements.
However, we are concerned by proposals to extend the RENURE framework to manure digestates if this would allow farmers to exceed existing nitrate limits, potentially putting drinking water resources at risk.
See our statement here.
Bio-Economy: Commission prepares Biotech II Act
The Commission launched a call for evidence in preparation of the Biotech Act II. The call is open until 10 June 2026. The Act could propose compulsory minimum bio-based content for fertilisers as announced in the Fertiliser Action Plan.
We will provide input to the Call for Evidence.
Water as an essential service
Inspire Directive: Parliament report forthcoming
As part of its December 2025 environmental omnibus, the Commission proposed a simplification of the Inspire Directive, creating a market for spatial data.
We support the directive but call on the EU Parliament to ensure that spatial data on the security-relevant parts of the water/wastewater infrastructure are not publicly accessible.
Our position is here.
Environmental assessments: Commission proposes faster permit-granting
The Commission has presented a draft regulation on speeding-up environmental assessments (as part of the environmental omnibus) with the purpose of streamlining permit-granting procedures for infrastructural projects. While we welcome this Commission action, it calls on the co-legislators to strike the right balance to avoid creating loopholes for sectors with significant environmental footprints.
You can find the draft regulation here, and our position will be on the website later this week.
Digitalisation: Commission seeks input on water sector action plan
The Commission has launched a Call for Evidence to support the preparation of the Water Sector Digitalisation Action Plan, announced as part of the Water Resilience Strategy. The initiative aims to modernise and standardise water management and infrastructure through the use of advanced digital technologies.
We welcome this initiative and intend to contribute to its development, ensuring that water operators’ needs, as well as the desirability and feasibility of digital solutions, are fully considered.
EU1 and EU2 committee members are invited to send their input to the Secretariat by 16 June 2026 to support the preparation of our feedback.
Other news
Protocol on Water and Health: Guide on climate-resilient water services
EurEau contributes to the guide for climate-resilient water and sanitation systems and services which is developed by the UNECE/WHO Protocol on Water and Health. The work stream is led by Italy and the Netherlands and aims at increasing resilience to climate change and strengthening preparedness for water-related disasters, extreme events outbreaks and other climate change-induced effects at the policy, strategic and practitioner levels.
Events
5 June 2026 – (morning) Water Resilience as a Competitive Edge: Bridging R&I Gaps for Nature-Based Solutions, hosted by DG Research & Innovation of the European Commission as part of Green Week. At the Charlemagne Building, Brussels and online.
8-9 June 2026 – Madrid, Spain. Implementation of EU UWWTD Directive art. 20 – workshop on defining EU sewage phosphorus; reuse and recycling rates. ESPP. https://www.phosphorusplatform.eu/WorkshopMadridArt20 .
17 June 2026 – Brussels. DWD Symposium on drinking water contact materials, co-hosted by EurEau, EDW and European Metals. Register (waiting list).
01 July 2026 – German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) and the Environmental Action Germany (DUH) – From Ambition to Impact: Implementing the Nitrates Directive for Europe’s Water Resilience, at 8:30 a.m.at the Thon Hotel EU, Brussels, Belgium. Register here by 27 June 2026.
23-27 August 2026 – World Water Week 2026. Read the thematic scope for 2026.
16-18 September 2026 – Svenskt Vatten hosts the NORDIWA Nordic Drinking Water Conference in Stockholm. You can visit the conference website: NORDIWA: Home.
4-8 October 2026 – IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026, Glasgow, UK.
18–20 November 2026 – EBC annual benchmarking workshop, Madrid, Spain. www.waterbenchmark.org.
20–22 October 2026 – Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience Europe (CIPRE) 2026; Brussels, Belgium.