Commission launches call for evidence on targeted revision of EU water legislation

On 17 March 2026, the European Commission launched a four-week call for evidence to support a review and targeted revision of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the cornerstone of EU water policy aimed at protecting and improving the status of Europe’s water resources.

This initiative is part of the broader objectives outlined in the RESourceEU Action Plan, which seeks to strengthen the EU’s supply of critical raw materials and enhance resilience against geopolitical and market disruptions. In this context, the revision of the WFD aims to better align water policy with emerging strategic priorities, including circular economy principles and resource efficiency.

Building on feedback from stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Directive, the Commission intends to identify regulatory bottlenecks and explore opportunities to simplify existing legislation. The goal is to facilitate access to critical raw materials while maintaining high standards for environmental protection and human health.

The call for evidence represents the first step in this process and will contribute to shaping the future revision of the Directive, as well as any subsequent legislative proposals. The updated framework is expected to reinforce water resilience across the EU, in line with the objectives of the Water Resilience Strategy, while supporting the Union’s strategic autonomy.

Stakeholders are invited to share their input through the online consultation, open until 14 April 2026.