These Regulations implement Council Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy (O.J. No. L348, 24.12.2008 p.84) and set out the classification schemes used under the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (O.J. No. L327, 22.12.2000 p.60).

Regulation 3 and Schedule 1 require the Department to assign a type or types and to apply environmental standards and biological boundary values in respect of rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters.

Regulation 4 requires the Department to apply the standards for priority substances and other dangerous substances.

Regulation 5 and 6 and Schedule 2, 3 and 4 require the Department to classify surface waters and groundwaters and to report this classification in River Basin Management Plans.

Regulation 7 allows for the designation of mixing zones and regulation 8 requires the Department to establish an inventory in respect of priority substances.

Regulation 9 revokes the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998.