Explanatory note

These Regulations implement in Northern Ireland Council Directive 2009/90/EC of 31 July 2009 laying down, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, technical specifications for chemical analysis and monitoring of water status.

Regulation 2 provides definitions for terms used in the Regulations.

Regulation 3 details under what circumstances the provisions of the Regulations will apply.

Regulation 4 transposes Article 3 of the Directive by ensuring that the Department validates and documents all methods of analysis used for the purposes of chemical monitoring programmes.

Regulation 5 transposes Article 4 of the Directive by requiring the Department to ensure that minimum performance criteria for methods of analysis are applied.

Regulation 6 transposes Article 5 of the Directive by detailing the process that the Department must use for the calculation of mean values.

Regulation 7 transposes Article 6 of the Directive by requiring the Department, or a party contracted by it, to apply specified standards, accepted at international level, for quality assurance and control. The Department, or a party contracted by it, are also required to demonstrate their competences in analysing physico-chemical or chemical measurands.