EU Member States have the obligation to inform the European Commission on the implementation of the different phases of the MSFD cycle: initial assessment, good environmental status (GES definition), establishement of environmental targets, set up of monitoring programmes and implementattion of programmes of measures. On the basis of the information received, the European Commission evaluates the implementation of the MSFD at national level (compliance assessment), and its level of coherence within the different marine regions or subregions and across the Union. This assessment serves also for the preparation of reports to the European Parliament, Council of Ministers, and the public, and to show the progress towards achieving GES across Europe’s seas.