Article 15 Transposition

1.   Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 18 September 2016. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.

2.   The authority or authorities referred to in Article 13(1) shall be designated by 18 September 2016.

3.   The maritime spatial plans referred to in Article 4 shall be established as soon as possible, and at the latest by 31 March 2021.

4.   The obligation to transpose and implement this Directive shall not apply to landlocked Member States.