The proposal to improve water quality in the EU made by the Commission consists in adding 15 chemicals to the list of 33 pollutants that are monitored and controlled in EU surface waters. In this way, according to the Commission, it will be monitored and controlled new forms of chemical pollution in European rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

The European Commission proposes to add 15 substances, which include industrial chemicals as well as substances used in biocides, pharmaceuticals and plant protection products, to the list of 33 pollutants that are monitored and controlled in EU surface waters. With this proposal, the Commission intends to improve improve water quality in the EU. This measure is taken following the measure taken in 2010 to ban phosphates in laundry detergents.

For the first time, pharmaceuticals are proposed to be included to the list. Concentrations above the proposed standards can affect fish health, reducing successful reproduction, for example, and harming other living organisms. All the substances have been selected on the basis of scientific evidence that they may pose a significant risk to health.

The proposal that would update the Directive on priority substances in the field of water quality, includes stricter standards for four currently controlled substances, and a requirement to phase out the emissions of two others already on the list. In addition, it proposes improvements to the monitoring and reporting of chemical pollutants in water, as well as a mechanism to obtain better information on the concentrations of other pollutants that might need to be controlled in the future at EU level.