A new approach for environmental damage assessment pursuant to the European Union Environmental Liability Directive.

This article focuses on the Criteria for the Assessment of Environmental Damage (CAED) project developed by the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL Network) to support the implementation of the European Environmental Liability Directive (ELD, 2004/35/EC). The CAED Toolkit, comprising a Practical Guide and Practical Tables, introduces a structured methodology for environmental damage assessment (EDA) based on a novel Impact, State, Pressure, Driver (ISPD) model adapted from the DPSIR framework. This approach guides competent authorities and practitioners through three key assessment stages—case screening, identification of clues of damage, and determination of evidence—facilitating standardized data collection and evaluation to improve enforcement and remediation actions across EU Member States. The article also presents a case study illustrating the toolkit’s application and discusses future enhancements to support consistent and effective environmental damage assessments under the ELD.