3.2.5. Conclusions of the appropriate assessment

An assessment carried out under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive must contain complete, precise and definitive findings and conclusions in the light of the best scientific knowledge in the field. It must be capable of removing all reasonable scientific doubts as to the effects of the plan or project proposed on the protected site concerned. The conclusions of the appropriate assessment must clearly relate to the integrity of the site and its conservation objectives. Where the assessment concludes that there will be adverse effects on the integrity of the site, it should clarify for which aspects, taking mitigation into account, there are residual adverse effects. This will be important if the plan or project is further considered under Article 6(4). A worked out example of a possible format for recording the results of the appropriate assessment is provided in Table 9 on the next page. Table 9 Example of an appropriate assessment record Following the completion of the appropriate assessment, its conclusions should be clearly presented in a report which: describes the plan or project in sufficient detail for members of the public to understand its nature, scale and objectives; describes the baseline conditions of the Natura 2000 site as well as its conservation objectives; identifies the adverse effects of the plan or project on the Natura 2000 site in view of the site-specific conservation objectives; explains how those effects will be avoided or sufficiently reduced through mitigation; sets out a timescale and identifies the mechanisms through which the mitigation measures will be secured, implemented and monitored; draws a duly justified conclusion as to the impact on the integrity of the site. The appropriate assessment report should be drafted clearly, with: (i) easy-to-follow evidence trails (e.g. leading from activities to pressures and to sensitivities and vulnerabilities of affected natural features); and (ii) an adequate level of evidence or analysis, suitable for consultation with the relevant nature conservation agencies and the public. For some of the plan’s elements or components, adverse effects on the site’s integrity may be uncertain or not possible to determine with enough confidence. Such aspects would, however, still require further consideration. Many national strategies comprise key planned investments like new reservoirs or transport corridors which may affect Natura 2000 sites, but whose exact location, design or operation details are not determined yet; such elements must be duly assessed at project level. In such cases, this fact, i.e. the remaining uncertainty, should be recorded in the results of the assessment, and such components/elements of plans must undergo appropriate assessment at project level (see also section 4.2). The conclusions of the appropriate assessment, together with any agreed mitigation measures or conditions, should also be part of the permit or any other decision taken in relation to the plan or project under consideration. A specimen report for presenting the outcomes of the appropriate assessment is presented in Box 16 at the end of section 3.2. If the competent authority determines that adverse effects will occur or cannot be excluded, then the plan or project may not proceed (unless the conditions of Article 6(4) apply – see section 3.3).

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-25 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.