PURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\nThe Committee on the Environment, Public Health and\nFood Safety adopted the report by Michèle RIVASI\n(Greens/EFA, FR), and amended the proposal for a Council directive\nlaying down requirements for the protection of the health of the\ngeneral public with regard to radioactive substances in water\nintended for human consumption.
\nThe Commission is called upon to alter its proposal\naccordingly, pursuant to Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the\nFunctioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Euratom\nTreaty.
\nThe main amendments suggested by the committee are as\nfollows:
\nAmendment of legal basis: Members want the proposal to follow the ordinary\nlegislative procedure and be based upon Article 192(1)\nof the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and not upon\nArticles 31 and 32 Treaty establishing the European Atomic\n(Euratom), as proposed by the Commission.
\nThe report underlines that radionuclides in water\nintended for human consumption are currently dealt with under the\nDirective 98/83/EC (Drinking Water Directive). In order to ensure\nlegal certainty and consistency of the Union legislation on\ndrinking water, it proposes that the legal basis should be the\nsame as that for Directive 98/83/EC to treat radionuclides on\nthe same footing as all other carcinogenic contaminants.
\nParametric values: these\nare based on the scientific knowledge available, taking into\naccount the precautionary principle. They must ensure that\nwater intended for human consumption can be consumed safely on a\nlife-long basis, taking as reference the most vulnerable\ncitizens.
\nNon-compliance with a parameter that has an indicator\nfunction: in this event, the Member\nState concerned should: (i) determine the cause (ii) assess the\nlevel of the risk to human health including in the long-term and\nthe possibilities for intervention and (iii) on the basis of these\nfindings, take action to ensure the water supply complies with the\nquality criteria laid down in the directive as soon as\npossible.
\nThis remedial action may go as far as shutting down\nthe facility concerned if the quality of water requires such\naction. Priority should be given to action, which rectifies\nthe problem at source.
\nInformation for consumers: consumers should be informed immediately\nof:
\nNatural mineral water: the Commission should, at the latest two years after\nentry into force of the directive, present a proposal to revise\nDirective 2009/54/EC, in order to align the control requirements\nfor natural mineral waters to the requirements provided for in this\nDirective and in Directive 98/83/EC.
\nMonitoring programmes:\neach Member State should establish robust monitoring programmes to\ncheck on a regular basis, that water intended for human consumption\nmeets the requirements of the Directive. In particular, Members\nwant Member States:
\nSamples and analysis: in\nline with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, if\nmonitoring shows contamination to come from an artificial source,\nit should be the person responsible who meets the costs, rather\nthan the water operator or the public.
\nNatural radiation levels and radiation from human\nactivity: Members propose that\nnatural radiation levels and contamination from human activities be\nmanaged in a differentiated manner, on the basis of distinct\ndosimetric criteria and bearing in mind different groups affected,\nespecially in terms of age.
\nWith regard to natural radioactivity in drinking\nwater, the report notes that\nreference concentrations proposed by the Commission have been\ncalculated using the dose coefficients for adults. However,\ncalculations show that for other age-groups, especially infants\nless than one year old), these reference concentrations would\nlead to exceeding the total indicative dose (TID). In order to be\nconsistent within the proposal, and to assure a level of protection\ncorresponding to 0.1 mSv TID for all age groups, the most\nvulnerable group of population must be taken as basis for the\ncalculations.
\nWith regard to the radiological impact of normal\nlevels of human activity, the maximum\nreference dose should be lowered to 0.01 mSv/year,\ncorresponding to 10% of the acceptable natural dose.
\nReview of Annexes:\nMembers consider that at least every five years, the\nCommission shall review all the Annexes on parametric values,\nreferences for radioactive substances and sampling and analysis, in\nthe light of scientific and technical progress and make amendments\nthrough delegated acts.
\nThe European Parliament adopted by 582 votes to 24\nwith 63 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a\nCouncil directive laying down requirements for the protection of\nthe health of the general public with regard to radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nParliament adopted its postion in first reading\nfollowing the ordinary legislative procedure. It amended the\nCommission proposal as follows:
\nAmendment of the legal basis: Parliament wants the proposal to follow\nthe ordinary legislative procedure and be based\nupon Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of\nthe European Union and not upon Articles 31 and 32 Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic (Euratom), as proposed by the\nCommission.
\nAccordingly, the Directive shall apply to water\nintended for human consumption as defined in Article 2 of\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption and concerns harmonised requirements in\nrespect of the quality of water intended for human consumption,\nwith the aim of safeguarding the health of the general\npublic against the adverse effects of the contamination of\nsuch water by radioactive substances.
\nParametric values: these\nare based on the scientific knowledge available, taking into\naccount the precautionary principle. They must ensure that\nwater intended for human consumption can be consumed safely on a\nlife-long basis, taking as reference the most vulnerable\ncitizens.
\nNon-compliance with a parameter that has an indicator\nfunction: in this event, the Member\nState concerned should: (i) determine the cause (ii) assess the\nlevel of the risk to human health including in the long-term and\nthe possibilities for intervention and (iii) on the basis of these\nfindings, take action to ensure the water supply complies with the\nquality criteria laid down in the directive as soon as\npossible.
\nThis remedial action may go as far as shutting down\nthe facility concerned if the quality of water requires such\naction. Priority should be given to action, which rectifies\nthe problem at source.
\nInformation for consumers: consumers should be informed immediately\nof:
\n\n· \nthe risks, and the measures already\ntaken by the authorities and the\ntime necessary for the remedial action to take\neffect ;
\n\n· \nthe quality of water intended for human\nconsumption via easily accessible publications. Members want updated information regarding areas at\nrisk from potential sources of radioactive contamination to be made\navailable to consumers at all times by local\nadministrations.
\nNatural mineral water: the Commission should, at the latest two years\nafter entry into force of the directive, present a proposal to\nrevise Directive 2009/54/EC, in order to align the control\nrequirements for natural mineral waters to the requirements\nprovided for in this Directive and in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nMonitoring programmes:\neach Member State should establish robust monitoring programmes to\ncheck on a regular basis, that water intended for human consumption\nmeets the requirements of the Directive. In particular, Members\nwant Member States:
\n\n· \nto ensure that the measures taken to implement\nthe Directive do not, under any circumstances, have the effect\nof allowing any deterioration in the present quality of water\nintended for human consumption;
\n\n· \nto develop new technologies which would\nminimise the time needed to isolate nuclear waste from the\nenvironment following a natural disaster ;
\n\n· \nto take all measures necessary to ensure that\nradioactive waste from filtered drinking water is disposed\nof according to the provisions in force;
\n\n· \nto carry out risk assessments of\nradioactive waste deposits that could have an impact on ground\nwater or other sources of drinking water that could be endangered\nby natural disasters.
\nFor its part, the Commission should carry\nout:
\n\n· \na study on the cocktail effects of other\nchemical substances combined with radioactive substances in water\nintended for human and update the relevant legislation based on the\nresults;
\n\n· \nan evaluation of the implementation of the\ncurrent Water Framework Directive in the Member States.
\nSamples and analysis: an\namendment states that the system of analytical quality control\nsystem must be subject to random checks, at least\nonce a year.
\nIn line with the ‘polluter\npays’ principle, if monitoring shows contamination to\ncome from an artificial source, it should be the person responsible\nwho meets the costs, rather than the water operator or the\npublic.
\nNatural radiation levels and radiation from human\nactivity: Parliament proposes that\nnatural radiation levels and contamination from human activities\nbe managed in a differentiated manner, on the\nbasis of distinct dosimetric criteria and bearing in mind different\ngroups affected, especially in terms of age.
\n\n· \nWith regard to natural radioactivity in\ndrinking water, the calculation shall be performed for the\npopulation group most exposed to risk (children less than a year\nold) in order to ensure compliance with the total indicative\ndose of 0,1 mSv, regardless of the age of the\nconsumer.
\n\n· \nWith regard to the radiological impact of normal\nlevels of human activity, the maximum reference dose should\nbe lowered to 0.01 mSv/year, corresponding to 10% of\nthe acceptable natural dose.
\nReview of Annexes:\nParliament considers that at least every five years, the\nCommission shall review all the Annexes on parametric values,\nreferences for radioactive substances and sampling and analysis, in\nthe light of scientific and technical progress and make amendments\nthrough delegated acts.
\nPURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\nPURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\nPURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\nPURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\nThe Committee on the Environment, Public Health and\nFood Safety adopted the report by Michèle RIVASI\n(Greens/EFA, FR), and amended the proposal for a Council directive\nlaying down requirements for the protection of the health of the\ngeneral public with regard to radioactive substances in water\nintended for human consumption.
\nThe Commission is called upon to alter its proposal\naccordingly, pursuant to Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the\nFunctioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Euratom\nTreaty.
\nThe main amendments suggested by the committee are as\nfollows:
\nAmendment of legal basis: Members want the proposal to follow the ordinary\nlegislative procedure and be based upon Article 192(1)\nof the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and not upon\nArticles 31 and 32 Treaty establishing the European Atomic\n(Euratom), as proposed by the Commission.
\nThe report underlines that radionuclides in water\nintended for human consumption are currently dealt with under the\nDirective 98/83/EC (Drinking Water Directive). In order to ensure\nlegal certainty and consistency of the Union legislation on\ndrinking water, it proposes that the legal basis should be the\nsame as that for Directive 98/83/EC to treat radionuclides on\nthe same footing as all other carcinogenic contaminants.
\nParametric values: these\nare based on the scientific knowledge available, taking into\naccount the precautionary principle. They must ensure that\nwater intended for human consumption can be consumed safely on a\nlife-long basis, taking as reference the most vulnerable\ncitizens.
\nNon-compliance with a parameter that has an indicator\nfunction: in this event, the Member\nState concerned should: (i) determine the cause (ii) assess the\nlevel of the risk to human health including in the long-term and\nthe possibilities for intervention and (iii) on the basis of these\nfindings, take action to ensure the water supply complies with the\nquality criteria laid down in the directive as soon as\npossible.
\nThis remedial action may go as far as shutting down\nthe facility concerned if the quality of water requires such\naction. Priority should be given to action, which rectifies\nthe problem at source.
\nInformation for consumers: consumers should be informed immediately\nof:
\nNatural mineral water: the Commission should, at the latest two years after\nentry into force of the directive, present a proposal to revise\nDirective 2009/54/EC, in order to align the control requirements\nfor natural mineral waters to the requirements provided for in this\nDirective and in Directive 98/83/EC.
\nMonitoring programmes:\neach Member State should establish robust monitoring programmes to\ncheck on a regular basis, that water intended for human consumption\nmeets the requirements of the Directive. In particular, Members\nwant Member States:
\nSamples and analysis: in\nline with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, if\nmonitoring shows contamination to come from an artificial source,\nit should be the person responsible who meets the costs, rather\nthan the water operator or the public.
\nNatural radiation levels and radiation from human\nactivity: Members propose that\nnatural radiation levels and contamination from human activities be\nmanaged in a differentiated manner, on the basis of distinct\ndosimetric criteria and bearing in mind different groups affected,\nespecially in terms of age.
\nWith regard to natural radioactivity in drinking\nwater, the report notes that\nreference concentrations proposed by the Commission have been\ncalculated using the dose coefficients for adults. However,\ncalculations show that for other age-groups, especially infants\nless than one year old), these reference concentrations would\nlead to exceeding the total indicative dose (TID). In order to be\nconsistent within the proposal, and to assure a level of protection\ncorresponding to 0.1 mSv TID for all age groups, the most\nvulnerable group of population must be taken as basis for the\ncalculations.
\nWith regard to the radiological impact of normal\nlevels of human activity, the maximum\nreference dose should be lowered to 0.01 mSv/year,\ncorresponding to 10% of the acceptable natural dose.
\nReview of Annexes:\nMembers consider that at least every five years, the\nCommission shall review all the Annexes on parametric values,\nreferences for radioactive substances and sampling and analysis, in\nthe light of scientific and technical progress and make amendments\nthrough delegated acts.
\nThe European Parliament adopted by 582 votes to 24\nwith 63 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a\nCouncil directive laying down requirements for the protection of\nthe health of the general public with regard to radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nParliament adopted its postion in first reading\nfollowing the ordinary legislative procedure. It amended the\nCommission proposal as follows:
\nAmendment of the legal basis: Parliament wants the proposal to follow\nthe ordinary legislative procedure and be based\nupon Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of\nthe European Union and not upon Articles 31 and 32 Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic (Euratom), as proposed by the\nCommission.
\nAccordingly, the Directive shall apply to water\nintended for human consumption as defined in Article 2 of\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption and concerns harmonised requirements in\nrespect of the quality of water intended for human consumption,\nwith the aim of safeguarding the health of the general\npublic against the adverse effects of the contamination of\nsuch water by radioactive substances.
\nParametric values: these\nare based on the scientific knowledge available, taking into\naccount the precautionary principle. They must ensure that\nwater intended for human consumption can be consumed safely on a\nlife-long basis, taking as reference the most vulnerable\ncitizens.
\nNon-compliance with a parameter that has an indicator\nfunction: in this event, the Member\nState concerned should: (i) determine the cause (ii) assess the\nlevel of the risk to human health including in the long-term and\nthe possibilities for intervention and (iii) on the basis of these\nfindings, take action to ensure the water supply complies with the\nquality criteria laid down in the directive as soon as\npossible.
\nThis remedial action may go as far as shutting down\nthe facility concerned if the quality of water requires such\naction. Priority should be given to action, which rectifies\nthe problem at source.
\nInformation for consumers: consumers should be informed immediately\nof:
\n\n· \nthe risks, and the measures already\ntaken by the authorities and the\ntime necessary for the remedial action to take\neffect ;
\n\n· \nthe quality of water intended for human\nconsumption via easily accessible publications. Members want updated information regarding areas at\nrisk from potential sources of radioactive contamination to be made\navailable to consumers at all times by local\nadministrations.
\nNatural mineral water: the Commission should, at the latest two years\nafter entry into force of the directive, present a proposal to\nrevise Directive 2009/54/EC, in order to align the control\nrequirements for natural mineral waters to the requirements\nprovided for in this Directive and in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nMonitoring programmes:\neach Member State should establish robust monitoring programmes to\ncheck on a regular basis, that water intended for human consumption\nmeets the requirements of the Directive. In particular, Members\nwant Member States:
\n\n· \nto ensure that the measures taken to implement\nthe Directive do not, under any circumstances, have the effect\nof allowing any deterioration in the present quality of water\nintended for human consumption;
\n\n· \nto develop new technologies which would\nminimise the time needed to isolate nuclear waste from the\nenvironment following a natural disaster ;
\n\n· \nto take all measures necessary to ensure that\nradioactive waste from filtered drinking water is disposed\nof according to the provisions in force;
\n\n· \nto carry out risk assessments of\nradioactive waste deposits that could have an impact on ground\nwater or other sources of drinking water that could be endangered\nby natural disasters.
\nFor its part, the Commission should carry\nout:
\n\n· \na study on the cocktail effects of other\nchemical substances combined with radioactive substances in water\nintended for human and update the relevant legislation based on the\nresults;
\n\n· \nan evaluation of the implementation of the\ncurrent Water Framework Directive in the Member States.
\nSamples and analysis: an\namendment states that the system of analytical quality control\nsystem must be subject to random checks, at least\nonce a year.
\nIn line with the ‘polluter\npays’ principle, if monitoring shows contamination to\ncome from an artificial source, it should be the person responsible\nwho meets the costs, rather than the water operator or the\npublic.
\nNatural radiation levels and radiation from human\nactivity: Parliament proposes that\nnatural radiation levels and contamination from human activities\nbe managed in a differentiated manner, on the\nbasis of distinct dosimetric criteria and bearing in mind different\ngroups affected, especially in terms of age.
\n\n· \nWith regard to natural radioactivity in\ndrinking water, the calculation shall be performed for the\npopulation group most exposed to risk (children less than a year\nold) in order to ensure compliance with the total indicative\ndose of 0,1 mSv, regardless of the age of the\nconsumer.
\n\n· \nWith regard to the radiological impact of normal\nlevels of human activity, the maximum reference dose should\nbe lowered to 0.01 mSv/year, corresponding to 10% of\nthe acceptable natural dose.
\nReview of Annexes:\nParliament considers that at least every five years, the\nCommission shall review all the Annexes on parametric values,\nreferences for radioactive substances and sampling and analysis, in\nthe light of scientific and technical progress and make amendments\nthrough delegated acts.
\nPURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\nPURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\nPURPOSE : to lay down requirements on radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption.
\nPROPOSED ACT : Council Directive.
\nBACKGROUND : drinking water contamination \nby radioactive substances may occur through accidental releases of\nradioactivity or through improper disposal practices. Water\nsystems that are vulnerable to this type of contamination undergo\nextensive monitoring for radioactive contamination to ensure that\nthe water is safe for drinking. There are many regions in Europe\nwhere the geological and hydrological features are such that the\npresence of naturally occurring radioactive substances is of\nconcern.
\nIn order to protect human health, the Council adopted\nDirective 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human\nconsumption. The requirements for monitoring tritium and total\nindicative dose under Council Directive 98/83/EC have not been\nimplemented, pending the adoption of amendments to Annexes II\n(monitoring) and III (specifications for the analysis of\nparameters).
\nHowever, indicator parameters set out in Annex I Part\nC relating to radioactivity and tritium and the related monitoring\nprovisions in Annex II to Directive 98/83/EC actually fall within\nthe scope of the basic standards as set out in Article 30 of the\nEuratom Treaty. As a result, the Commission proposes to incorporate\nthe requirements for monitoring levels of radioactivity into\nspecific legislation under the Euratom Treaty.
\nIMPACT ASSESSMENT : no impact assessment was\nundertaken.
\nLEGAL BASIS : Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty\nestablishing the European Atomic Energy Community.
\nCONTENT : the proposal lays down requirements for\nthe protection of the health of the general public with regard to\nradioactive substances in water intended for human consumption. It\nsets out parametric values, frequencies and methods for monitoring\nradioactive substances.
\nScope: parametric values\nfor radon and tritium and parametric values for total indicative\ndose, for other radioactive substances, in water intended for human\nconsumption are set out in the proposal. The Commission notes that\nit adopted in June 2011 a draft proposal laying down requirements\nwith regard to radioactive substances in water intended for human\nconsumption based on Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty. On 27\nOctober 2011 the EESC adopted an opinion on this draft Commission\nproposal, calling for the inclusion of radon gas within the scope\nof the Directive. It recalls that in 1998 radon gas had been\nexcluded from the scope of the Directive in view of the fact that\nit constitutes a risk of inhalation rather than of ingestion as\ndrinking water. The Commission agrees with the EESC recommendation\nand has now made provision for the inclusion of radon gas in the\nDirective.
\nIn order to address the specific feature of radon gas,\nit is included as a separate indicator parameter, while the\nlong-lived decay products of radon are included in the evaluation\nof total indicative dose as defined in Directive\n98/83/EC.
\nThe EESC also advocated mirroring to the largest\npossible extent the general provisions of Directive 98/83/EC, so as\nto offer one coherent policy. This would require, amongst other,\nthe inclusion of bottled waters. The Commission agrees with this\nrecommendation but also needs to allow for the fact that after\nadoption of the 1998 Directive, specific legislation was adopted\nfor the monitoring of bottled waters, in the overall context of\nfood safety. Hence the new Commission proposal includes on the one\nhand bottled water within the scope of the Directive, on the other\nhand refers to the monitoring criteria laid down in Regulation (EC)\nNo 852/2004.
\nThe Commission will propose the deletion of tritium\nand total indicative dose from the list of indicator parameters in\npart C of Annex I to Directive 98/83/EC and the repeal of all\nreferences to these parametric values.
\nGeneral obligations:\nMember States must take all measures necessary to establish an\nappropriate monitoring programme to ensure that water intended for\nhuman consumption complies with the parametric values established\nin accordance with the Directive.
\nParametric values:\nparametric values applicable for the monitoring of radioactive\nsubstances in water intended for human consumption must be set in\naccordance with Annex I. For water put into bottles or containers\nintended for sale this shall be without prejudice to the principles\nof hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) as required\nby Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
\nMonitoring: Member\nStates shall ensure regular monitoring of water intended for human\nconsumption in accordance with Annex II in order to check that the\nconcentrations of radioactive substances do not exceed the\nparametric values laid down.
\nSampling: sampling\nlocations are specified in the proposal. Samples representative of\nthe quality of the water consumed throughout the year shall be\ntaken and analysed in accordance with the methods set out in Annex\nIII.
\nRemedial action and notification of\nconsumers: any failure to comply with\nthe parametric values laid down must be immediately investigated in\norder to identify its cause. Member States must assess whether the\nfailure poses a risk to human health, and take remedial action to\nrestore the quality of the water. Where the risk to human health\ncannot be regarded as trivial, the Member State shall ensure that\nconsumers are notified.
\nBUDGETARY\nIMPLICATIONS : the proposal has no implication for the\nCommunity budget.
\n