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Good Chemical Status
The compliance goal for EU surface water — all priority substances and river basin specific pollutants must meet their EQS.
Good chemical status is achieved when concentrations of priority substances and, since Directive (EU) 2026/805, river basin specific pollutants (RBSP), comply with their respective EQS. The definition was updated to include RBSP and effect-based trigger values. WFD requires all EU water bodies to reach good chemical status — deadlines range from 2027 (transposition) to 2039 (newly listed substances) to 2041 (general target).
Legal reference
Directive (EU) 2026/805 new Art 2(24) WFD