Good environmental status (GES) in relation to eutrophication is achieved when 'the good environmental status is achieved in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and when the integrated eutrophication assessment in accordance with OSPAR has achieved the status of 'non-problem area'. For the purpose of assessing GES for D5, the following criteria are used for coastal waters < 1 nautical mile according to Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848: D5C1, D5C2, D5C3, D5C5, D5C6, D5C7, D5C8. For the purpose of assessing GES for D5, the following criteria are used for the open seas > 1 nautical mile, as defined in Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848: D5C1, D5C2, D5C3, D5C4 and D5C5. Secondary criterion D5C8 is under development. Explanation: Germany does not update the general description of good environmental status (GES) from 2012 at descriptor level in this reporting exercise. Over the reporting period, Germany has worked with the North Seas countries in the framework of the EU's MSFD process and in 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 set out in Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, the relevant assessments under other EU directives shall be taken into account under Article 8_GES, taking into account, as far as possible, the regional assessments that have been coordinated so far and, on a case-by-case basis, supplemented by national assessments.