Environment

#32026D0401Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/401 laying down rules for the application of Council Directive 92/43/EEC as regards the list of sites of Community importance and repealing previous Implementing Decisions

🇪🇺European Union··Other·Medium Impact·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This Commission Implementing Decision updates and adopts the latest list of Sites of Community Importance (SCI) under the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. It formally repeals nine previous implementing decisions issued between 2024 and 2025 that had added or modified sites in earlier updates. The decision ensures the legal framework reflects the most current scientific assessments and biogeographical evaluations of protected habitats and species across the EU. Due to the very large size of the annexes (22.9 MB), the full list of sites is not displayed in the basic document view but is available via separate access.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Adopts the updated official list of Sites of Community Importance (SCI) under Directive 92/43/EEC
  • Repeals nine previous Implementing Decisions: (EU) 2024/428, (EU) 2025/238, (EU) 2025/239, (EU) 2025/240, (EU) 2025/242, (EU) 2025/244, (EU) 2025/251, (EU) 2025/256 and (EU) 2025/257
  • Integrates latest scientific and biogeographical data into the legal list of protected sites

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Obligations

What this law requires

high

Member States must recognize and implement the updated list of Sites of Community Importance (SCI) adopted in this Implementing Decision as the current official list under Council Directive 92/43/EEC

EU Member States
operational
high

Member States must cease application of the nine previous Implementing Decisions issued between 2024 and 2025 that are formally repealed by this Decision

EU Member States
operational
high

Member States must designate Sites of Community Importance from the updated list as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 92/43/EEC

EU Member States
operational
high

Member States must apply conservation measures for the designated sites based on the most current scientific assessments and biogeographical evaluations reflected in this Decision

EU Member States
operational
medium

Member States must update their national legal frameworks and administrative procedures to reflect the sites listed in the annexes of this Implementing Decision

EU Member States
operational

Affected Parties

EU Member StatesNational nature conservation authorities+3 more…

Tags

Habitats Directive,Sites of Community Importance,Natura 2000