Article 8a 3.

Over a period of two years from 1 January 2030, Member States shall monitor the presence of estrogenic substances in water bodies, using effect-based monitoring methods. Sampling and analysis need not commence at the start of that two-year period, but shall be conducted at least four times each year. Member States shall conduct the monitoring at a selection of the sites where the three estrogenic hormones 17-beta estradiol (E2), Estrone (E1) and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), listed in Part A to Annex I to this Directive, are being monitored using conventional analytical methods in accordance with Article 8 of Directive 2000/60/EC and Annex V thereto in order to obtain comparative results at a range of concentrations. Data shall be reported together, and in accordance with Article 8(4) of that Directive. The number of sites shall be no fewer than that specified in Article 8b(3) of this Directive for monitoring substances on the watch list. Member States may start the monitoring before 1 January 2030 as long as the technical specifications referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article have been adopted. Member States shall not use the effect-based results from the two-year comparative monitoring period for the purpose of classifying the chemical status of the monitored water bodies as described in Section 1.4.3 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC.