Water and marine

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EU water policy is one of the cornerstones of environmental protection in the EU. The rules protect water resources, fresh and saltwater ecosystems, and drinking and bathing waters. The Water Framework Directive provides the main framework and the objectives for water policy in Europe.

Key developments

  1. •

    EU Environment—horizon scanner — Water and marine—this Practice Note is a horizon scanner tracking key future developments in EU environmental law. It provides details of key dates for your diary (including forecasted dates where possible) and relevant commentary in relation to legislation-in-progress, legislation subject to future application dates or transposition deadlines, new consultations and calls for evidence, forthcoming guidance, and new EU-level strategies and action plans

  2. •

    EU Environment—key developments tracker — Water and marine—this Practice Note tracks key past developments in EU environmental law. It provides details of key events and relevant commentary relating to finalised legislation and other key developments, including published guidance and EU-level strategies and action plans. This tracker covers legislative developments from 2025 onwards.

Water and marine

This subtopic contains the following guidance on EU level rules governing water quality

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Latest EU Law News

European Parliament approves opinion on EU digital age limits and online child protection

Members of the European Parliament have approved an opinion on the impact of social media and the wider online environment on young people, proposing stronger protection for minors, clearer responsibilities for online platforms and improved enforcement across the EU. The opinion supports establishing a common European age limit for social media, requiring users to be at least 16 unless parental authorisation is granted, and prohibiting access for children under 13, alongside effective and privacy-friendly age verification systems and more consistent enforcement of existing child protection laws. It calls on the European Commission to introduce further measures through a forthcoming EU Digital Fairness Act to address gaps in current legislation without creating unnecessary regulatory burdens, covering practices such as targeted advertising, influencer marketing, addictive design features, loot boxes, virtual currencies and misleading website design, and highlighting risks linked to artificial intelligence, including misinformation, manipulation and emotional dependency, with a request for strict safeguards.

Council of the EU adopts new requirements for car chargers and measuring instruments

The Council of the European Union has adopted a directive amending EU measuring instrument requirements to support the deployment of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), compressed gas dispensers and thermal energy meters. The updated measuring instruments directive (MID) aims to advance the green transition by introducing common standards, prioritising digitalisation and enabling the use of emerging gases such as hydrogen. Member States must implement the changes within 24 months, with most requirements applying 30 months after entry into force and longer transitional periods for EVSE and compressed gas dispensers.

Council of the EU approves conclusions on 2030 consumer agenda implementation

The Council of the EU has approved conclusions guiding the implementation of the 2030 Consumer Agenda, calling for stronger consumer protection, particularly online, greater promotion of sustainable consumption, improved cross border enforcement, and regulatory simplification. Emphasising that consumer protection and competitiveness are mutually reinforcing, the Council highlights the need to address digital challenges such as dark patterns and unsafe online products, especially to protect vulnerable consumers like minors, while ensuring effective application of existing EU consumer and digital rules. It also stresses combating greenwashing, supporting circular economy products such as second hand and refurbished goods, enhancing cooperation between the Commission and national authorities, exploring the use of AI for market surveillance, and reducing administrative burdens for SMEs without lowering consumer protection standards.

EU Financial Services—daily round-up (27 February 2026)

A round-up of EU financial services developments.

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