An area presented an environmental state if it does not exceed the established levels of pollutants by the competent authorities and regional bodies on a large majority of their samples and when the time trends are decreasing or remaining stable (in those cases where the levels detected are close to the base value). The threshold selected for deciding whether a site or region complies with GES is that 95 % of the evaluated indicators are below T1 (EACs, ECS, ERLs). Values above T1 mean that the concentration of the dangerous substance may pose a risk to the environment and the species present there.

Good status of the marine environment is achieved when the concentrations of pollutants in the sea are at such a level as not to cause adverse effects on organisms, populations, communities or ecosystems. Good status of the marine environment for pollution by pollutants is achieved when limit values, which also represent objectives, are met.

Contaminant concentrations do not exceed threshold values (Decision 2017/848/EU).

G 8.1 Concentrations, for each of the categories of contaminants regulated by the relevant legislation, and
international obligations, with the exception of radionuclides, are lower, in indexed and integrated form
by category of contaminants, the environmental quality standards laid down.

G 8.2 For each of the categories of contaminants regulated by the relevant legislation and obligations
international, with the exception of radionuclides, variations in biological effects are not
significant in relation to their respective controls and thresholds.

G 8.3 Major pollution events are prevented and their possible impacts minimised.

D8: The definition of GES does not change. However, its definition in the next evaluations should take into account a larger number of pollutants of a persistent, emerging type, etc. They can damage the environment and therefore influence the GES. The improvement of monitoring programmes and the increase in pollutants measured will lead to an improvement in the evaluation of GES.

D8C1: Criterion D8C1 could only be partially assessed for all contaminants in this evaluation due primarily to the lack of an aggregation (threshold) rule at the individual parameter level or a rule for integrating parameters at the criterion level. Indeed, the assessment of the state of each contaminant is carried out at the level of the elementary unit of assessment of the parameter, without aggregation at the MRU level. However, the assessment allows the identification of (i) problematic substances in order to direct efforts towards potential sources and (ii) areas where actions need to be implemented to return to or maintain good status. The methodological standards relating to this criterion will be specified following further studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.



D8C3: Criterion D8C3 (duration and spatial extent of acute pollution events) could not be filled in for this assessment. Indeed, data from accidental pollution reports (POLREPs) could not be collected and the information associated with the POLREPs does not allow a robust assessment of this criterion to be proposed. The methodological standards for this criterion will be specified following further studies, as provided for in the Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.

D8: None