Ecosystem based marine management means defining the objectives and mapping the ecosystems, the activities and the impact that exist in the area. This measure aims to develop and implement the working method at local level for these deliveries but even establish a scheme to involve respective stakeholders in the area to assist in the definition of goals and implementation of measures to achieve these goals. The measure is a complement to measures whose purpose is to improve a specific ecosystem component or limit an individual impact/activity. Regional cooperation In order to apply a holistic perspective of ecosystem-based marine management, many pressures and activities that affect ecosystem components may need to be addressed internationally. Optimally, this coordination can take place within relevant working groups and committees in the regional sea conventions, Ospar and Helcom. Moreover, actions in Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, are in line with activities in this measure, (e.g. measure HT 12).

The measure aims to ensure a holistic and coordinated marine planning within the municipal and regional planning, especially in the coastal zone, and ensure that the planning contributes to environmental targets in the marine environment. Within the measure, a continuously follow-up, support and guidance will be developed to municipalities and regions in their work with sea and coastal planning. Support and guidance can also contribute to increased municipal and regional sea and coastal planning. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The measure initially included the preparation of a guide for municipal sea and coastal planning in accordance with the Planning and Building Act. The guide was published in 2018. The key changes of the measure implies that it now includes a continued follow-up of how the guide is used, if it provides sufficient support, and to develop further support and guidance for municipal and regional marine planning. Regional coordination: Both Helcom and Ospar recommendations (e.g. concerning threatened species and habitats, bird habitat and migration routes when establishing wind and wave energy and how this should be considered in environmental assessment / environmental impact assessments) are relevant to take into account implementing the measure.

Within the measure, experiences from risk analysis and risk management of contaminated sediments at completed objects are compiled. The measure also works for a technological development in the area of contaminated sediments, which altogether contributes to introducing cost-effective measures of contaminated sediments in order to contribute to achieve good environmental status. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that a few activities have been excluded (e.g. distribute funds for control projects of contaminated sediments in the most important areas from the perspective of the marine environment, ensure that sediment is included to a greater extent in the investigations carried out of contaminated areas) as these have not been in the mandate of responsible organisation for implementing the measure (the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency). In addition, the activity of compiling experiences from risk analysis and risk management has been expanded to also promote technological development in the area, which contributes to introducing cost-effective measures.

The measure aims to develop methods for control and reduction measures of certain invasive alien species. To keep an established species or newly introduced species under control or to locally combat stocks in selected environments, is important in order to reach the related environmental target but also descriptor 2. Experiences of such measures have so far been limited.

In the measure, a coordinated action strategy (according to the DAPSIR model) with regard to physical impact and biological restoration in coastal waters is developed. The strategy improves the conditions for concrete restoration measures and biological restoration and includes evaluating the need for strategic measures, mainly for coastal areas. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that additional national agencies collaborating within the measure have been included but also additional activities such as: coordinating the strategy with measures in the regional water authorities' action program under WFD , regional knowledge-sharing with relevant expert groups within both Helcom and Ospar clarifications on the scope of the strategy, and descriptions of the implementation of the strategy. Regional cooperation: In developing the strategy, account will be taken and links made to Helcom's and Ospar's lists of species and habitats and recommendations. Helcom's Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes related work (including measure B27 on restoration).

The purpose of the measure is to develop technical tools in order to improve the availability and quality of information on alien species, as reliable and accessible information is important for the authorities' work in planning and implementing measures to prevent or reduce damage from alien species. Easily accessible information also increases the knowledge of the public, industry and stakeholders and is necessary to get their support, to follow regulations, to get help with reporting on the occurrence of alien species and help with eradication. The information in the technical tools should therefore be regularly updated and supplemented, as well as simplified in order to reach a larger target group.

Authorities need to become aware of new findings of alien species quickly, e.g. in order to be able to take measures to combat them if necessary. This is a key factor in meeting relevant environmental target and descriptor 2. In Sweden, there has been a lack of overarching framework for this and therefore, a national warning and response system will be developed to gather information to relevant authorities immediately when an alien invasive species is detected. In addition, contingency and management plans need to be developed for species that contain information such as routes of transmission, control measures and division of responsibilities, which is a prerequisite for rapid action on the alien species that constitute or is expected to pose a significant risk to genetic and biological diversity. Within the measure a total of 20 stations to detect invasive alien species have been selected using a risk model for the introduction of marine species. Monitoring will be carried at these stations during a six-year management cycle. An ongoing collaboration between concerned authorities within the project 'Digital IAS' is aiming to streamline response to detection and ensure high data quality. Moreover, there is an ongoing work to develop and produce information and knowledge for management and contingency plans for invasive alien species.

The measure is implemented in order to protect particularly threatened stocks that spawn in coastal waters. Consequently, regulations should be introduced in areas where locally spawning stocks and important functional groups of coastal fish are weak. These unique stocks are extremely biologically valuable and to ensure their recovery are required. Biological data from relevant areas will be obtained from various sources, e.g. Department of Aquatic Resources at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU and the County Administrative Boards.

The measure aims to introduce new fishing regulations to promote more selective fishing in coastal waters in order not to jeopardize the chances of recovery of endangered coastal spawning stocks due to their being caught in fishing for other species. Thus, measures should be taken to minimize the risk of undesirable fishing mortality due to by-catch, regulations aimed at more size-selective fishing should also be considered. The measure should be taken where stocks of key species and important functional groups of coastal fish are weak and there is a risk of by-catch of other species.

For stocks in weak status, but which are judged to withstand certain fisheries, fishing regulations may be needed that limit the negative effects of fishing on such stocks. Measures should be taken to protect stocks of key species and important functional groups of coastal fish where these are particularly weak. For example, catch restrictions in the form of bag limits (limitation of the number of fish that an individual may take home at a fishing opportunity) should be considered for recreational fishing for relevant species. Restrictions should also be considered for commercial fishing.

With support of data from the County Administrative Boards, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management introduces protected areas that include important spawning, growth and migration areas for key species of coastal fish where it is appropriate to introduce protected areas.

The measure aims to investigate and introduce general fishing closures for coastal species during particularly sensitive periods in areas where stocks of key species and important functional groups of coastal fish are weak and exploitation pressure is high. These are mainly areas where fish are spawning, but in some cases protection all year round can be justified. The protection must include both commercial fishing and recreational fishing.

The measure aims to overcome certain imbalance in the form of over-establishment in certain segments of the Swedish fleet. Such an over-establishment entails reduced profitability, inefficient fishing with increased environmental impact and a risk of reduced regulatory compliance.

The measure is taken to stimulate activities that contributes to nutrient uptake from the sea, this in turn reduces the effect of nutrient load and its negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystems. The measure aims to stimulate such aquaculture that provides a net uptake of nutrients.

The measure involves developing and applying policy instruments to stimulate aquaculture that does not involve a net load in sea areas that do not achieve good environmental status, an improvement of nutritional conditions and related biological conditions.

The purpose of the measure is to provide guidance on how changes in hydrographic conditions affect biodiversity and ecosystems, this will contributes to a better basis for decision-making when examining activities or large scale projects that may lead to large-scale hydrographic effects. Today, there is little guidance on how the hydrographic impact of activities / projects should be described in an environmental impact statement (EIA). A good description enables an assessment of the impact and reduces the risk of permits being granted to activities that may give rise to large-scale hydrographic impacts that may affect e.g. biodiversity and ecosystems negatively. An interim guidance have been produced, but since there is deemed to be more potential to the measure, the work go continues to also develop a more rigorous guidance. The measure is therefore not yet fully implemented.

The measure shall develop a guide for cleaning ship hulls. The guide shall describes how supervisory authorities (municipalities, County Administrative Boards) will conduct their supervision of the activity. It will also include guidelines on what requirements are to be set for filtration and disposal of biological fouling, requirements for technology to minimize the spread of hazardous substances during the activity and requirements for environmentally friendly disposal of the collected material from the cleaning. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. Modification of the measure implies that the measure now is focused on the disposal of hazardous substances and biological growth on ship hulls, hulls of recreational boats are included in ÅPH 17. Therefore, the measure is no longer linked to the environmental target B.2. Regional coordination: Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes similar measure on sustainable technologies against hull growth (e.g. measure S9), coordination in implementation will be sought where relevant.

The measure includes several activities to reduce the spread of contaminants from recreational boats. This includes investigating the reason for the continued spread of TBT and other hazardous substances from soil and sediments, investigate the need for further regulation and work to establish relevant regulations to address this. The measure also aims to establish guidelines with regard to hull cleaning and other maintenance activities of leisure boats, this is done in order to prevent the spread of TBT and others hazardous substances to the marine environment, but also introduction and spread of (invasive) alien species and micro plastic. Based on this, inspection guidelines should be developed. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that the measure focuses on investigating the cause of continued supply of tributyltin (TBT) and other hazardous substances and the need for further regulation in relation to land and sediment in connection with recreational boat use. Another change is that the measure will develop guidelines for hull maintenance of recreational boats to prevent the spread of TBT, other dangerous substances and alien species. Regional coordination: Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes similar measure on biocides on recreational boats (e.g. measure HL29), coordination in implementation will be sought if relevant.

The overall purpose of the measure is to identify and, in the long term, regulate hazardous substances that are released from treatment plants in such quantities that they risk affecting the marine environment negatively. Through this, the measure contributes to a more uniform and substantiated assessment of the current impact from sewage treatment plants on the aquatic environment and the need for action.

The measure is based on the implementation of several components where different actors are involved. The activities with the measure aim to remove and collect lost gears but also to prevent further losses of fishing gears in order to limit input of marine litter. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that new activities have been included such as developing a guide for handling applications for uptake initiatives within the Swedish national marine and fisheries programme, but also that targeted information will be provided to commercial and recreational fishing regarding the management of waste on boats in order prevent further losses of fishing gear to the marine environment. Regional coordination: Both Helcom and Ospar have adopted regional action plans on marine litter, including actions related to this measure. Thus, coordination in implementation will be sought where relevant.

The measure implies that targeted national information campaigns are produced in collaboration with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The campaigns are e.g. targeting the general public and consumers about common litter objects in the marine environment, its negative impact on the environment and the link to consumer behaviour.

The Swedish coast, especially the coastline bordering to the North Sea is annually affected by large amounts of litter debris from international sources. Cleaning efforts along the coast are effective and relatively simple and cost-effective measure compared to removing marine litter from the water column or seabed. By supporting initiatives that help individuals or actors to take responsibility for keeping the coast and beaches clean from marine litter, this measure contributes to complying with the environmental target and achieve good environmental status.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) conducts strategic work by including marine litter in relevant waste plans and programs. Moreover, SEPA develops regulatory documents that, among other things, guide the municipalities' waste plans. There is a need to show in both national and municipal plans and programs that there is a link between waste management and marine litter. This is because a dominant part of the waste found in the marine environment comes from land-based sources, thus the impact of waste management on marine waste needs to be highlighted.

The measure implies that Swedish local municipalities should, when revising the municipal waste plans, identify and shed light on how waste management can contribute to reducing the generation of marine litter and set goals for such work. As the waste plans are revised and updated at different times and at different time intervals in different municipalities, the measure is still under implementation.

Within the measure, an overall framework for national action programs for threatened species and habitats in the marine environment are developed, as well as specific action programmes. The protection of threatened species is one important part of the work to preserve biological diversity. The measure is not linked to any specific environmental target, as the Swedish environmental targets are directed to address pressures. The measure is contributing to achieve good environmental status especially Deskriptor 1.

Within the measure, knowledge-building programmes for endangered species and habitats in the marine environment are developed. These programs are a complement to the action program for threatened species (measure ÅPH 24) and aim to produce the necessary knowledge about and / or relevant measures to improve the status of the species or habitat type. The protection of threatened species is one important part of the work to preserve biological diversity. The measure is not linked to any specific environmental target, as the Swedish environmental targets are directed to address pressures. The measure is contributing to achieve good environmental status especially Deskriptor 1.

The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management has the overall responsibility for the measure, which is directed at developing guidance on what management documents for marine protected areas must contain. A representative and well-connected network of marine protected areas with appropriate conservation measures contribute to achieving good environmental status.

The measure aims at establishing new marine protected areas and other area-based conservation measures to support achievement of good environmental status. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that the measure has been expanded to include work with green infrastructure, ecosystem-based marine management and include additional activities to achieve an expected revised, higher areal target of marine protected areas. Moreover, additional possible spatial management measures are included e.g. to align the measure with other management processes (e.g. fisheries management and marine planning). Regional/bilateral cooperation: The measure is related to working groups on marine spatial protection within both Helcom and Ospar. Moreover, the measure is directly linked to Helcom's recommendation 35/1219 for marine protected areas, measures in the Helcom Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP (including measure B1), and OSPAR’s work with the list of endangered species and habitats. Similar measure is also planned within the framework of Finland’s PoM. Thus, coordination in implementation will be sought where relevant.

The measure is taken in order to ensure that the conservation objectives in marine protected areas are met. This means that appropriate conservation measures need to be introduced in marine protected areas where they do not exist (existing and new areas). Moreover, new measures may be needed if new knowledge has emerged, or if you have an old decision for a nature reserve where the marine biological values have not been taken into account.

The measure implies developing and gathering information about methods for ecological compensation and restoration of marine environments in order to improve the conditions for biodiversity and ecosystem services, that habitats are restored and recreated. A well-functioning toolbox with scientifically based methods is a prerequisite for this work and serves as a basis for active restoration (e.g. linked to both ÅPH 29 and ÅPH 31).

All authorities and municipalities with implementation responsibilities for measures in the Swedish MSFD Programme of Measures, need to annually report on the progress of implementation of measures to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. The reporting mainly relates to the status of the implementation of the measures (activity follow-up), cost follow-up and if relevant, the effect of the measure. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that information on reporting process is clarified and includes follow-up dialogues but also that implementation plans are going to be developed under each measure in the Swedish programmes of measure.

The purpose of the measure is to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive non-indigenous species in marine protected areas through human activity, as well as to limit the spread of invasive non-indigenous species to adjacent areas and sea basins.

By promoting a sustainable size distribution of coastal fish communities, important functions in the food web are retained. The measure aims to protect both large and small sizes to promote spawning stocks and recruitment, retain important ecological functions, and counteract evolutionary changes in size and age at sexual maturity. Regional cooperation Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes similar measures for coastal fish (e.g. measure S53),

The measure should enable area specific measure to control the negative effect of top predators on local fish population. Measures, as hunting or other effective measures to prevent top predators from entering a specific area, will be implemented in combination with measures intended to improve the status of the local fish population, e.g. no-take zones.

Regulates input and or spread of non-indigenous species from aquaculture. It aims to create rules on aquaculture practices to ensure adequate protection of the aquatic environment from the risks associated with the use of non-native species and locally absent species in aquaculture.

Regulates input and or spread of non-indigenous species. The regulation 1143/2014 aims to control or eradicate priority species, and to manage pathways to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS; it applies to species considered of Union concern and subject to formal risk assessment.

This regulation contains provisions on invasive alien species and complements the Regulation 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. According to the regulation, the authorities are tasked with carrying out risk assessments, taking measures on species' dispersal routes and establishing monitoring systems, and according to the EU regulation, notifying and informing when an invasive species is detected. The authorities are also given the opportunity to authorize certain handling for species on the Union list and to propose emergency measures. For species with a large distribution, where extinction is not possible, the authorities must develop management measures.

Regulates input and or spread of non-indigenous specie. The regulation 1143/2014 aims to control or eradicate priority species, and to manage pathways to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS; it applies to species considered of Union concern and subject to formal risk assessment. So far, 49 species have been listed but the criteria for selecting species for risk assessment have not been disclosed and were probably unsystematic. Within three years of the adoption of the Union list, each Member State shall establish and implement one single action plan or a set of action plans to address the priority pathways it has identified. Sweden's first edition of the action plan was established in 2019, and is limited to the 49 Union species as well as three aquatic species of national importance, and an analysis of their distribution routes, with some additions for aquatic transmission routes.

From 8 September 2017, ships must manage their ballast water so that aquatic organisms and pathogens are removed or rendered harmless before the ballast water is released into a new location. This will help prevent the spread of invasive species as well as potentially harmful pathogens.

EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), includes various regulations and is the mechanism and set of rules through which European fishing fleets and fish stocks are managed. It applies to all member states and is based on four policy areas: fisheries management, International policy and co-operation, market and trade policy and funding. It gives all European fishing fleets equal access to EU waters to create fair competition. It aims to ensure that European fishing is sustainable, balancing the desire to maximise catches with conserving fish stocks. The CFP largely only cover commercial fishing, consisting of various regulations e.g.: Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy REGULATION (EU) No 1380/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999 Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 establishing a multiannual plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 Regulation (EU) 2018/973 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 establishing a multiannual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, specifying details of the implementation of the landing obligation in the North Sea and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 676/2007 and (EC) No 1342/2008

The ordinance concerns the protection of specific types of areas under Chapter 7 of the Environmental Code, certain protection measures are taken under Chapter 12 of the Code. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency shall have the national responsibility for area protection. However, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management is the main authority for water protection areas and the provide guidance for site protection for the conservation of marine or aquatic environments or groundwater. This ordinance further mainly assigns duties of administration of the areas to the County Administrative Boards and municipalities and provides with respect to consultations between local authorities and other procedural matters.

This Act applies to the right to fish in the Swedish Sea Territory and the Swedish EEZ. Certain provisions apply also to fishing by Swedish vessels outside of the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (sect. 1). Sections 8 to 11 define fishing rights of Swedish citizens. Section 16 concerns fishing rights on privately owned land. Sections 19 to 25 define the regulation making powers of the Government in relation to management and conservation of fisheries. Sections 28 and 29 concern repopulating of fish and fish breeding. Sections 30 to 32 concern professional fishing licences. Remaining provisions of this Act deal with international fishing control (sect. 33), internal control of fishing (sect. 34) and prescribe offences (sect. 37 and following), and regulate matters of miscellaneous nature.

The ordinance includes e.g. regulations on marking of fishing gear and planting of fish.

The regulations apply in addition to regulations related to EU common fisheries policy. They apply to both professional and non-professional fishing in the Skagerrak, Kattegat and the Baltic Sea within Sweden's maritime territory as well as Sweden's exclusive economic zone and fishing from Swedish vessels outside the economic zone. The regulations include for exmple measures to reduce the impact of bottom trawling within the Kosterfjord – Väderfjorden's Natura 2000 area (SE 0520170)

The regulations contain provisions on licenses and permits for Swedish professional fishing in the sea and include e.g. more detailed rules on transferable fishing rights.

The ordinance implements different rules of the Environmental Code concerning water operations. It contains 47 sections divided into the following paragraphs: Notification and consultation; Prohibition of drainage of land; Condition testing of land drainage; Land drainage experts; Environmental book; Dispatching of certain judgments and decisions; Notification of inspection; Duty to report replacing authorization requirement; National Plan for Modern Environmental Conditions for Hydropower; Notification to be covered by the National Plan; Division into examination groups and period for submitting applications; Temporary exemption from the authorization requirement; Implementation of the National Plan; Supervision and fees; Appeal. Section 24 of the ordinance requires the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management together with the Swedish Energy Agency and Swedish Power Grid Administration to elaborate a proposal for a National Plan for Modern Environmental Conditions for Hydropower, according to the guidelines given by this ordinance.

An Act to prohibit the pollution of the marine environment by ships, regulate the discharge of polluted substances by ships, the construction of ships, and other matters for the prevention of pollution. The Act is divided into 11 Chapters: Introductory provisions (1); prohibition of pollution by ships (2); Acceptance of polluted ballast and tank water of ships and other matters (3); Construction of ships (4); Log books and other matters (5); Supervision (6); Particular provisions regarding pollution (7); Water pollution charge (8); Complaints (9); Liability (10); Miscellaneous (11). Section 2 of Chapter 2 concerns discharge of oil in the Swedish territorial sea, the EEZ and the Baltic. Oil shall be discharged in prescribed places (Chapter 3). The ordinance includes more details on these prohibitions, e.g. from ships' anti-fouling system, oil spills, emissions of chemicals and harmful liquid substances in bulk, discharges of harmful liquid substances, receipt of waste from ships.

The Act states that in streets, squares, parks and other public places, the municipality is responsible for street maintenance and cleaning. In areas where the public can travel freely has been littered, the municipality is obliged to restore the place.

Ordinance on producer responsibility for packaging stipulates for example that producers must take responsibility for packaging when they become waste. Sweden has statutory producer responsibility in eight areas: packaging, tires, recycled paper, electronics, batteries, pharmaceuticals, vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes and radioactive sources.

This Regulation, made under section 13 of Chapter 15 of the Environmental Code, contains provisions on the obligation of those who provide plastic bags to the public to inform the consumer on such bags and their environmental impact in order to reduce the consumption of such bags and thereby reduce littering and promote more efficient resource utilization. Those who manufacture plastic bags shall report annually to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency on the annual production of bags intended for the Swedish market. By the law (2020:32) a new tax on plastic bags was introduced in Sweden 2020. Both regulation aims to reduce rubbish (plastic bags) in nature and in the sea.

These regulations contain provisions on emissions of harmful substances from ships and are in line with the Ordinance (1980: 789) on measures against emissions of pollutants from ships (which in turn is in line with the Act (1980: 424) on measures against emissions of pollutants from ships).

Regulations which stipulates provisions on labelling and marking of fishing gear and the obligation to report lost fishing gears.

Support for measures against lost fishing gear such as: collection, reception and recycling of lost fishing gear and communication campaigns.

This Regulation concerns environmental impact assessment as prescribed by Chapter 6 of the Environmental Code. A significant environmental impact assessment shall be carried out in accordance with section 3 of the Code. The implementation of plans, programmes or amendments of those may include an activity or measure that requires authorization pursuant to Chapter 7 § 28 of the Code. It applies to public planning and measures and private sector projects. A plan, programme or amendment indicates the conditions for conducting such activities or taking such measures as are specified in section 6 or the Annex to this Regulation. These include for example: an action programme (according to Chapter 5, Section 8 of the Environmental Code), a waste plan (according to Chapter 15, Section 41 of the Environmental Code), an overview plan (according to the Planning and Building Act 2010: 900), a marine plan according to the Marine Planning Regulation (2015:400), or another plan or program relating to agriculture, forestry, fishing, energy, industry, transport, regional development, waste management, water management, telecommunications, tourism, land-use planning or land use in accordance with Regulation (2018: 2105). The Regulation sets out the criteria for judging whether an activity shall be subject to an environmental impact procedure by county administrative boards and specifies rules for such procedure (including public consultation). It further elaborates if and how an EIA must be carried out. EIA shall be carried out for projects involving water resources. It also provides for assessment of transboundary effects.

About 150 of the 1000 species listed in the EU Species and Habitats Directive can be found in Sweden. Together with the EU Birds Directive, more than 1,000 species and more than 200 habitats are covered by the two directives that have been created to stop the extinction of wild plants and animals and to prevent their habitats from being destroyed. Species are covered by the provisions of the Species Protection Ordinance (2007: 845). Sweden has a responsibility to ensure that these species achieve favourable conservation status, which can be done, for example, through the protection of its habitats or protection.

The environmental quality objectives describe the quality of the environment that Sweden wishes to achieve. There are 16 of objectives covering different areas – from unpolluted air and lakes free from eutrophication and acidification, to functioning forest and farmland ecosystems. For each objective there are a number of 'specifications', clarifying the state of the environment to be attained. The objectives are: Reduced Climate Impact, Clean Air, Natural Acidification Only, A Non-Toxic Environment, A Protective Ozone Layer, A Safe Radiation Environment, Zero Eutrophication, Flourishing Lakes and Streams, Good-Quality Groundwater, A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos, Thriving Wetlands, Sustainable Forests, A Varied Agricultural Landscape, A Magnificent Mountain Landscape, A Good Built Environment, A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life. http://naturvardsverket.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1477059/FULLTEXT01.pdf

The Swedish Environmental Code was adopted in 1998 and entered into force 1 January 1999. The rules contained within 15 acts have been amalgamated in this comprehensive and fundamental code on environment. The Code is divided into seven Parts and each Part is divided into Chapters (33 in total). Part 1 contains provisions of general character. Chapter 1 defines objectives and area of application of the Code. Chapter 2 defines general environmental obligations and requirements. Chapter 3 contains basic provisions concerning the management of land and water areas, whereas Chapter 4 contains special provisions concerning land and water management in certain areas in Sweden. Chapter 5 concerns the publication of environmental quality standards and compliance with such standards. Chapter 6 concerns environmental impact statements. Part 2 makes provision for the protection of nature. Chapter 7 provides principally for the protection of areas, i.e. designation of national parks, nature reserves, culture reserves, habitat protection areas, wildlife and plant sanctuaries, shore protection areas, environmental protection areas, water protection areas, and special protection areas and special areas of conservation. Chapter 8 contains special provisions concerning the protection of animal and plant species. Part 3 provides rules that apply to certain activities that may harm the environment. Chapter 9 concerns environmentally hazardous activities and health protection. Chapter 10 deals with to land and water areas, buildings and structures that are so polluted that they may cause damage human health or the environment and provides in particular for responsibility for investigation and after-treatment. Chapter 11 contains provisions relating to specified waterworks and other operations regarding water. Chapter 12 contains rules relative to quarries, agriculture and other activities. Provisions of Chapter 13 shall be applicable to contained use and deliberate release of genetically modified organisms. Chapter 14 concerns chemical products and biotechnical organisms and Chapter 15 waste and producer responsibility in respect of waste. Other provisions of the Code concern valuation and assessment of environmental activities in relation with authorization, legal proceedings, court's decisions, etc. (Part 4), supervision (Part 5), offences, penalties and enforcement (Part 6) and compensation in connection with public interventions and permit application procedures relating to water operation etc, compensation for certain kinds of environmental damage and other private claims, environmental damage insurance and environmental clean-up insurance (Part 7).

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets out rules to halt deterioration in the status of European Union (EU) water bodies and achieve ‘good status’ for Europe’s rivers, lakes and groundwater by 2015. It specifically includes: protecting all forms of water (surface, ground, inland and transitional); restoring the ecosystems in and around these bodies of water; reducing pollution in water bodies; guaranteeing sustainable water usage by individuals and businesses. The WFD addresses many land-based preassures and activities that also affect the marine environment. Related are also OSPAR recommendations 89/4 and 92/7 but as the purpose of these recommendations have been addressed by the Nitrates Directive, the Waste Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive, the recommendations have currently been set-aside.

The HELCOM Contracting Parties have decided on a joint action plan for the Baltic Sea environment, the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), adopted in 2007 and updated in 2021. BSAP is HELCOM’s strategic programme of measures and actions for achieving good environmental status of the sea, ultimately leading to a Baltic Sea in a healthy state. The updated plan includes more theme areas and the objectives for the work have also been updated. The updated BSAP is divided into four segments with specific goals: -Biodiversity, with its goal of a “Baltic Sea ecosystem is healthy and resilient”, -Eutrophication, with its goal of a “Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication” -Hazardous substances and litter, with its goal of a “Baltic Sea unaffected by hazardous substances and litter”, and -Sea-based activities, with its goal of “Environmentally sustainable sea-based activities”.

The document provides an overview of HELCOM and its contribution to achieving good environmental status in the Baltic Sea Region, e.g. by describing the process and results of the regional coordination of measures and identifies opportunities for improved regional coherence of national measures and for additional joint regional actions. Thus, the document does not include direct measures. Hence, the response “not known” chosen for the field Measure Purpose.

The measure is taken to reduce the significant internal nutrient load of phosphorus, which currently has as great impact on the Baltic Sea, and which leads to eutrophication. Based on available data and knowledge regarding the possibility of influencing the internal nutrient load, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management shall commission and finance work to counteract internal nutrient load in the Baltic Proper. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The key changes implies that the focus of the measure now is to implement pilot projects to limit the internal load of phosphorus in the Baltic Sea; based on results and knowledge derived from previous surveys and relevant national and international guidelines. Bilateral cooperation: Similar measure is also planned within the framework of Finland’s PoM. Bilateral co-operation in the implementation of the measures will be examined if relevant. In the reporting of the Swedish PoM 2015, this measure was linked to the environmental target A.1, however this target does not fully cover historical nutrient loads. With the modification of the measure, its objective is now even more directed to address internal load and manage the historical nutrient load of the Baltic Sea and this is the reason why the measure no longer is directly linked to A.1.

WFD Measures in the Swedish water authorities' River Basin Management Plans intended to also contributing to the 2021 updated MSFD PoM are listed below. The measures are reported at KTM level. The information about the WFD-measures should however be regarded as preliminary since the adoption and subsequent entry into force of the River Basin Management Plans are delayed. Kommunerna 4 Länsstyrelserna 1 Länsstyrelserna 2 Länsstyrelserna 12