COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/958

of 31 May 2021

laying down the format for reporting data and information on fishing gear placed on the market and waste fishing gear collected in Member States and the format for the quality check report in accordance with Articles 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (1), and in particular Article 13(4) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Article 13(1)(d) of Directive (EU) 2019/904, Member States are to report data on fishing gear containing plastic placed on the market and on waste fishing gear collected in the Member State in the format established by the Commission.

(2) Article 13(2) of Directive (EU) 2019/904 stipulates that the data and information reported by Member States should be accompanied by a quality check report. The format of the quality check report should ensure that the information and data reported provides a sufficient basis for verifying the accuracy, reliability and comparability of this information and data between the Member States.

(3) In accordance with Article 13(1) of Directive (EU) 2019/904, Member States should report to the Commission data and information electronically within 18 months of the end of the reporting year for which they were collected.

(4) In order to allow the Member States to fulfil their reporting obligations under Directive (EU) 2019/904 and to ensure the accuracy and comparability of the data reported, the format for reporting data on fishing gear containing plastic placed on the market and on waste fishing gear collected in the Member State is to be established in accordance with Article 13(4) of Directive (EU) 2019/904.

(5) The format established in the Annex to this Decision requires that the amounts of fishing gear placed on the market and waste fishing gear are reported by weight. Member States should therefore take the necessary measures to ensure reporting can be effected in accordance with the format.

(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the Adaptation to Scientific and Technical Progress and the implementation of the Directives on waste established under Article 39 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2),

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Member States shall report the data on fishing gear containing plastic placed on the market and on waste fishing gear collected referred to in Article 13(1)(d) of Directive (EU) 2019/904 in the format for reporting data laid out in Annex 1 to this Decision.

Article 2

Member States shall draw up the quality check report referred to in Article 13(2) of Directive (EU) 2019/904 in the format laid out in Annex 2 to this Decision.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 31 May 2021.

For the Commission

Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS

Member of the Commission

(1)

OJ L 155, 12.6.2019, p. 1

(2) Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (

OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3

ANNEX 1

Format for the reporting of data on fishing gear containing plastic placed on the market and waste fishing gear collected, in accordance with Article 13(1)(d) of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council

A. Format for the reporting of data on fishing gear containing plastic placed on the market

(1)

Net panels made of thick twine(2)

(Ø >1mm)

Net panels made of thin twine

(Ø≤1mm)

Other plastic-based gear or parts thereof

Non-plastic parts of gear(3)

Buoys, floats, ropes

Total (*1) =

(tonnes)

A+B+C+D+E

D = I+K

E = F+J+L

Plastics total=

A+B+C+F

—	Polypropylene (PP)

—	Polyethylene (PE)

—	High molecular polyethylene (HMPE)

—

Nylon

—	Other (PET, PVC, HDPE, EVA, etc.)

—	Mix of polymers

Metals total

G = I+J

—

Steel

—

Aluminium

—

Lead

—	Other metal or mixed metal

Rubber total

H = K+L

B. Format for the reporting of data on waste fishing gear collected

(4)

Total

Net panels made of thick twine(5)

(Ø >1mm)

Net panels made of thin twine

(Ø≤1mm)

Other plastic-based gear or parts thereof

Non-plastic parts of gear(6)

Buoys, floats, ropes

Total (*2) =

(tonnes)

A+B+C+D+E

D = I+K

E = F+J+L

Plastics total =

A+B+C+F

—	Polypropylene (PP)

—	Polyethylene (PE)

—	High molecular polyethylene (HMPE)

—

Nylon

—	Other (PET, PVC, HDPE, EVA, etc.)

—	Mix of polymers

Metals total

G = I+J

—

Steel

—

Aluminium

—

Lead

—	Other metal or mixed metal

Rubber total

H = K+L

(1) Data is to be reported in weight (tonnes) – the quality check report must specify whether conversion factors have been used (e.g. from volume to mass).

(

)

Only the total amounts (in white cell) of fishing gear and its components are mandatory for reporting.

Black shaded cells are not relevant.

(2) ‘Twine’ covers all twines, strings, lightweight ropes, etc. whether they consist of one filament (monofilament) or multiple filaments that are twisted or braided together to form a single multi-stranded twine.

(3) This may include metal weights, rubber rollers, escape devices/grids, etc.

(4) Data is to be reported in weight (tonnes) – the quality check report must specify whether conversion factors have been used (e.g. from volume to mass).

(

)

Only the total amounts (in white cell) of fishing gear and its components are mandatory for reporting. This includes any fishing gear containing plastics, as well as any separate components, substances or materials that were part of or attached to such fishing gear when it was discarded, including when it was abandoned or lost. Black shaded cells are not relevant.

(5) ‘Twine’ covers all twines, strings, lightweight ropes, etc. whether they consist of one filament (monofilament) or multiple filaments that are twisted or braided together to form a single multi-stranded twine.

(6) This may include metal weights, rubber rollers, escape devices/grids, etc.

ANNEX 2

Format for the quality check report accompanying the data referred to in Annex 1, in accordance with Article 13(2) of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council

I. Objective of the report

The quality check report aims to gather information on the data compilation methods and the quality of the data submitted. The report is to allow a better understanding of the approaches taken by Member States on data collection as well as to enable data to be compared across Member States. It accompanies Member State reporting on fishing gear containing plastic placed on the market and waste fishing gear collected.

The quality check report is to evaluate the quality of data collection processes, including the scope and validation of administrative data sources and the statistical validity of survey-based approaches.

Moreover, the quality check report is to consider reasons for significant changes in reported data and ensure confidence in the accuracy of that data.

II. Format for the quality check report: Fishing gear containing plastic placed on the market

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Member State:
Organisation responsible for data submission:
Contact email:
Phone number:
Reference year:
Delivery date/version:
Link to data publication by the Member State (if any):

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE DATA COLLECTION

Name of institution	Key responsibilities

Add rows if needed

3. DESCRIPTION OF METHODS USED

3.1. Specification of methods and sources

Data collection methods/data source	Mandatory data (method/source: yes/no)	Voluntary data (optional) (method/source: yes/no)
Administrative reporting (census)
Surveys (census or sampling)
Trade statistics (e.g. using Prodcom or Comext data)
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme
Gear producers/traders
Other (specify)

Indicate the number of the source of reference between brackets in cells answered ‘yes’, e.g. yes (1).

Add specific explanations in the table below for cells that were answered ‘yes’, using the reference numbers. Indicate the frequency of data collection (e.g. monthly, quarterly, annually, continuous) if available.

Ref. No	Further explanation/description

Add rows if needed

3.2. Specification of conversion factors

If conversion factors (1) have been used to estimate voluntary data, specify them in the table below.

Total fishing gear containing plastic (tonnes)

Net panels made of thick twine

(Ø >1mm)

Net panels and lines made of thin twine

(Ø≤1mm)

Other plastic-based gear or parts thereof

Non-plastic parts of gear

Buoys, floats, ropes

Total per type of material

Total (*1) (tonnes)

Mandatory value

Plastics total

—	Polypropylene (PP)

—	Polyethylene (PE)

—	High molecular polyethylene (HMPE)

—

Nylon

—

Other

—

Mixed

Metals total

—

Steel

—

Aluminium

—

Lead

—	Other metal or mixed metal

Rubber total

Total per gear component

4. ACCURACY OF THE DATA

4.1. Statistical surveys on the quantity of fishing gear placed on the market

Scope of the survey	Year	Statistical units	Percentage of population surveyed	Data (t)	Confidence level	Error margin	Adjustments from the survey year to the current year	Other details

Add rows for each survey made.

Add specific explanations in the table below by numbering/referencing the above cells.

No	Further explanation/description

Add rows if needed

4.2. Main accuracy issues

Description of main issues affecting the accuracy of data, including errors related to sampling, coverage, measurement, processing and non-response. Description of estimates used.

No	Accuracy issue	Further explanation/description
1	Sampling
2	Coverage
3	Measurement
4	Processing
5	Non-response
6	Estimates
7	Other (specify)

Add rows if needed

4.3. Differences from previous year’s data

Significant methodological changes in the calculation method for the current reference year, if any (please include in particular retrospective revisions, their nature and whether a break-flag is required for a certain year).

No	Further explanation/description

Add rows if needed

4.4. Data verification

Cross-check

(yes/no)

Time-series check

(yes/no)

Audit

(yes/no)

Verification process

(yes/no)

Mandatory data

Voluntary data

Additional information about the methods, including the combination of methods used.

	Detailed description of methods for verification
Mandatory data
Voluntary data (optional)

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

5.1. Specify by numbered item how confidentiality has been ensured

(example: measures or procedures preventing unauthorised disclosure of data etc.)

No	Description

Add rows if needed

5.2. Confidentiality issues related to data publication

No	Description

Add rows if needed

6. DISSEMINATION: MAIN NATIONAL WEBSITES AND PUBLICATIONS

Topics to be listed below are related to data dissemination.

No	List of websites, documents, publications

7. METADATA

List of documents related to data collection methodology, data processing and quality control.

Topic	Document exists (yes/no)	Reference to the document (title, year, web link if applicable)
Data collection
Data processing
Quality control

III. Format for the quality check report: Waste fishing gear collected

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Member State:
Organisation responsible for data submission:
Contact email:
Phone number:
Reference year:
Delivery date/version:
Link to data publication by the Member State (if any):

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE DATA COLLECTION

Name of institution	Key responsibilities

Add rows if needed

3. DESCRIPTION OF METHODS USED

3.1. Specification of methods and sources

Data collection methods/data source	Mandatory data (method/source: yes/no)	Voluntary data (optional) (method/source: yes/no)
Administrative reporting (census)
Surveys (census or sampling)
Ports
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme
Gear producers/traders
Waste management operators
Other (specify)

Indicate the number of the source of reference between brackets in cells answered ‘yes’, e.g. yes (1).

Ref. No	Further explanation/description

Add rows if needed

3.2. Specification of conversion factors

If conversion factors (2) have been used to estimate voluntary data, specify them in the table below.

Total fishing gear containing plastic (tonnes)

Net panels made of thick twine

(Ø >1mm)

Net panels and lines made of thin twine

(Ø≤1mm)

Other plastic-based gear or parts thereof

Non-plastic parts of gear

Buoys, floats, ropes

Total per type of material

Total (*2) (tonnes)

Mandatory value

Plastics total

—	Polypropylene (PP)

—	Polyethylene (PE)

—	High molecular polyethylene (HMPE)

—

Nylon

—

Other

—

Mixed

Metals total

—

Steel

—

Aluminium

—

Lead

—	Other metal or mixed metal

Rubber total

Total per gear component

4. ACCURACY OF THE DATA

4.1. Statistical surveys on the quantity of waste fishing gear collected

Scope of the survey	Year	Statistical units	Percentage of population surveyed	Data (t)	Confidence level	Error margin	Adjustments from the survey year to the current year	Other details

Add rows for each survey made.

Add specific explanations in the table below by numbering/referencing the above cells.

No	Further explanation/description

Add rows if needed

4.2. Main accuracy issues

Description of main issues affecting the accuracy of data, including errors related to sampling, coverage, measurement, processing and non-response. Description of estimates used.

No	Accuracy issue	Further explanation/description
1	Sampling
2	Coverage
3	Measurement
4	Processing
5	Non-response
6	Estimates
7	Other (specify)

Add rows if needed

4.3. Differences from previous year’s data

Significant methodological changes in the calculation method for the current reference year, if any (include in particular retrospective revisions, their nature and whether a break flag is required for a certain year).

No	Further explanation/description

Add rows if needed

4.4. Data verification

Cross-check

(yes/no)

Time-series check

(yes/no)

Audit

(yes/no)

Verification process

(yes/no)

Mandatory data

Voluntary data

Additional information about the methods, including the combination of methods used.

	Detailed description of methods for verification
Mandatory data
Voluntary data (optional)

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

5.1. Specify by numbered item how confidentiality has been ensured

(example: measures or procedures preventing unauthorised disclosure of data etc.)

No	Description

Add rows if needed

5.2. Confidentiality issues related to data publication

No	Description

Add rows if needed

6. DISSEMINATION: MAIN NATIONAL WEBSITES AND PUBLICATIONS

Topics to be listed below are related to data dissemination.

No	List of websites, documents, publications

7. METADATA

List of documents related to data collection methodology, data processing and quality control.

Topic	Document exists (yes/no)	Reference to the document (title, year, web link if applicable)
Data collection
Data processing
Quality control

(1) A conversion factor is an arithmetical multiplier for converting a quantity expressed in one set of units into an equivalent expressed in another

(

)

Black shaded cells are not relevant.

(2) A conversion factor is an arithmetical multiplier for converting a quantity expressed in one set of units into an equivalent expressed in another.

(

)

Black shaded cells are not relevant.