In 2008, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive entered into force, with the overall objective to achieve and/or maintain a good status of the marine environment by 2020. The good environmental status has to be defined in accordance with qualitative Descriptors specified through a Commission Decision. The project developed a first understanding and assessment concepts for descriptors 2 (non-indigenous species), 6 (seafloor integrity), 7 (hydrographical conditions), 8 (hazardous substances) and 10 (marine litter) as well as an overall assessment concept for “good environmental status”.