Good environmental status shall be achieved when "(1) the sound budget of the German North Sea does not adversely affect the living conditions of the animals concerned. Therefore all human noise generating activities must not have a significant impact on the North Sea marine environment. (2) the light input does not adversely affect marine species . (3) the emission of electromagnetic fields does not adversely affect the movement or sense of orientation of marine organisms. This is currently assumed to be achieved if at direct current the values measured at the sediment surface do not exceed the strength of the earth's magnetic field. (4) the increase in temperature does not give rise to negative effects on the marine environment. For the assessment of GES for underwater noise, the following criteria are used in Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848: D11C1, D11C2. Explanation: Germany does not update the general description of good environmental status (GES) from 2012 at descriptor level in this reporting exercise. In the reporting period, Germany has worked with the North Seas countries in the framework of the EU MSFD and OSPAR to develop methodological standards (indicators, evaluation procedures). Specific aspects of criteria and indicators that contribute to a quantitative assessment of good environmental status are reported in the reporting scheme Art. 8_GES. For the assessment of the criteria in Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 under Article 8_GES, assessments under other EU directives are taken into account where relevant. Where possible, regional assessments that have been agreed so far are taken into account and complemented by national assessments on a case by case basis.