Article 1 Subject matter

This Decision lays down:

1. (a)

   criteria and methodological standards to be used by F2the Secretary of State, in consultation with the devolved policy authorities, when determining a set of characteristics for good environmental status in accordance with Article 9(1) of Directive 2008/56/EC, on the basis of Annexes I and III and by reference to the initial assessment made pursuant to Article 8(1) of that Directive, to assess the extent to which good environmental status is being achieved, in accordance with Article 9(3) of that Directive;

2. (b)

   specifications and standardised methods for monitoring and assessment, to be used by F3the competent authorities when establishing coordinated monitoring programmes under Article 11 of Directive 2008/56/EC, in accordance with Article 11(4) of that Directive;

3. (c)

   a timeline for the establishment of threshold values, lists of criteria elements and methodological standards through F4... regional or subregional cooperation;

4. (d)

   a notification requirement for criteria elements, threshold values and methodological standards.

Regulation 7(3) of the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010 applies for the purposes of any function conferred by this Decision as it applies for the purposes of the adoption or revision of any element of the marine strategy.