Malta has submitted comments on the European Parliament's proposed amendments to the Priority Substances in Water directive, opposing the vast majority of changes and supporting only a handful of specific points. In a contribution dated 13 July 2026, the Maltese delegation argues for retaining the Council's General Approach text on most contested issues, while suggesting a minor addition to one recital to reflect Mediterranean water scarcity.
Malta supports the EP's amendment 7 (Recital 1d new) but proposes adding a reference to 'aridity' alongside 'droughts' to account for permanent water scarcity in the Mediterranean region. It also backs amendments 16 (Recital 3a new) and 58 (Article 1, paragraph 1, point 2 d)). However, the delegation objects to the vast majority of other EP amendments, including those establishing a hierarchy of measures prioritising source-control over end-of-pipe measures, creating an unlimited watch-list, introducing delegated powers for Annex I amendments, and adding new groundwater concepts such as 'Ecological Status of Groundwater'. Malta also opposes amendments on extended producer responsibility for pharmaceuticals and pesticides, and on Access to Justice, which it considers beyond the revision's scope.
On several points, Malta explicitly prefers the Council's General Approach text. For example, it objects to EP amendment 18 (Recital 4) which would change 'consider establishing' to 'establish' for threshold values, arguing the current Groundwater Directive uses 'consider establishing' and relevance must be confirmed at national scale. Similarly, it opposes amendment 21 (Recital 7) on a hierarchy of measures, preferring the General Approach's use of 'could' and allowing conjunctive use of different measures. The delegation also objects to amendments that would limit the concept of stricter standards to anthropogenic pollutants (amendment 30), base standards on a single scientific publication (amendment 31), or reference only agriculture in prioritisation (amendment 68).
Malta's position reflects a broader divide between the Council and the European Parliament on the revision of the Priority Substances in Water directive. The EP had adopted its amendments in plenary on 12 September 2024, while the Council agreed its General Approach on 20 June 2024. Trilogue negotiations are expected to begin in the coming months, with Malta's comments adding to the list of member state positions that will shape the final text.
The contribution has implications for several stakeholders. EU water regulators and national authorities face potential administrative burden if the EP's more prescriptive amendments are adopted, particularly on hierarchy of measures and extended producer responsibility. The water industry and chemical producers would be affected by stricter standards and new monitoring obligations, while environmental NGOs may push for the EP's stronger provisions on source control and groundwater protection. Mediterranean member states like Malta stand to gain from explicit recognition of aridity in the directive, which could influence future water management measures.