On 18 September, the EU Council of Ministers adopted a Directive on flood risk assessment and management. The Directive, available for download at the right-hand side of the screen, will enter into force once it is published in the Official Journal, which usually takes two to three months.

The Directive aims to reduce and manage the risks that floods pose to people, property and the environment. Member States will be obliged to determine which river basins and related coastal zones are exposed to the threat of flooding. They must also draw up maps of the risk of flooding and management plans for the areas concerned.

The preliminary risk assessment should be completed by end 2011. The maps of flood risk and areas at risk of flooding should be ready by end 2013, and the establishment of risk management plans are due for end 2015.

A key issue is the interface between environment protection and economic interests. For there is a growing realisation that Europe may not be able to afford to go on building in areas prone to floods without eventually suffering the consequences.

The European Parliament (EP) adopted their second reading report on 25 April 2007. As the Council is in agreement with the proposed amendments, formal adoption will take place in the coming months.

If Members would like more information, they should contact Sander Scheurwater e sscheurwater@rics.org.