#17: Reporting requirements

Requirements for regular reporting on progress regarding the set objectives and  for regular reviews.

Within legislative policies such as plans, programs and strategies should require regular reporting on progress regarding the set objectives. Reviews of plans, programs and strategies should be included as well, a clear duration, e.g. every five years, should be specified. A reporting template can be provided, including a number of key performance or progress indicators.

Through the Urban Wastewater Treatment (UWWT) Directive, the European Commission has introduced reporting requirements that deal with the management of wastewater within Member States. Member States are required to oversight on competent authorities that have the responsibility to report periodically (every two years) the country’s situation on the management of urban wastewater and sewage sludge to the Commission, and, if deviancies should arise, to issue sanctions. Legal requirements are also present in the British jurisdiction: the 2006 Companies Act requires the acknowledgment of environmental files in the Expanded Business Review, which is currently included as a best practice in the Operational and Financial Review. The reports drawn by companies are then collected by an independent supervisor which forward them to the competent authority, which may be the Secretary of State or the first Minister of Scotland, of Wales or of Northern Ireland.