Report on Harmonisation of freshwater biological methods

122. It is acknowledged that standardisation of WFD methods within CEN isresource limited. Where ECOSTAT and the GIGs identify priority work for CEN, itwould seek a mandate for this work through the representatives of DG Environment(RECOMMENDATION 4)123. Proposed and completed research in support of WFD has the strong potentialnow, and in the future, to encourage a wider level of method development andstandardisation than currently exists. ECOSTAT needs to take a lead in value addingto the outputs in terms of finalization of ecological methods. The HarmonisationGroup could lead in this area (RECOMMENDATION 5)RECOMMENDATIONSI. The harmonization group should continue to monitor the development ofWFD compliant methodologies for ecological assessment and classificationand report to ECOSTAT regularly.II. The harmonization group should assume responsibility for collatingscientific developments relevant to the WFD and ensuring that these are madewidely available through the internet.III. Methods and metrics which are used in a wide geographical scale andhave the potential for standardization should be identified by ECOSTAT andthe GIGs as a basis for priority areas for technical standardization. This couldbe managed by the ECOSTAT WG in contact with CEN. A start-up workshopcould be facilitated by the JRC.IV. The harmonisation group would take the lead in establishing priority areasfor standardization within CEN and through ECOSTAT recommend areas ofwork requiring a mandate from DG Environment.V. The Harmonisation Group on behalf of ECOSTAT could identify areas ofecological research relevant to the implementation of the WFD and ensuredissemination.30