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Answer to a written question – Article 17 reporting in the Habitats Directive – P-002047/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The Commission is aware of the instructions referred to in the question of the Honourable Members. However, the Commission notes that Sweden has not yet submitted its report at the time this answer is drafted.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) and the Commission have provided guidance on assessing conservation status of habitat types and species including the setting of Favourable Reference Values (FRVs) under the Habitats Directive[1] (format[2] and guidance[3]).

According to this guidance, FRVs should not, in principle, be lower than the values when the Habitats Directive came into force, as most habitats have been listed in the annexes because of their unfavourable status.

Furthermore, FRVs should be set on the basis of ecological/biological considerations and by using the best available knowledge and scientific expertise.

Reporting FRVs as ‘unknown’ when they are actually known or can be set would not be considered sound practice.

The EEA and the Commission will continue to provide guidance on how to establish FRVs, assess carefully Member States’ reports, and provide feedback to Member States if necessary, also in the light of the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation[4].

The EEA will carry out a public consultation before finalising the draft EU-biogeographical assessment of the data reported by national authorities.

If national reports are not submitted in time, contain significant errors, display inaccuracies, involve falsification, or are only partially completed with much of the required information marked as ‘unknown,’ the Commission may initiate an infringement procedure.

  • [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
  • [2] https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/habitats_art17/Reporting2025/Art.17%20report%20format%202019-2024.pdf/.
  • [3] https://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/help/habitats_art17/Reporting2025/Final%20Guidelines%20Art.%2017_2019-2024.pdf/.
  • [4] Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869, OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024.