Ecologic has been commissioned by the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER) to develop practicable proposals for implementing the economic aspects of the Water Framework Directive in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the possible role of economic valuation studies. The now available study deals mainly with the assessment of disproportionate costs (linked to the Art. 4 exemptions), while also addressing the selection of measures (Art. 11). It recommends a staged and flexible approach, which takes account of the specific conditions in Scotland and Northern Ireland.