Background Weed control methods used for hard surfaces (such as pavements) generate several environmentally damaging side effects, including run-off of herbicides and contamination of soil and groundwater. In the Netherlands alone, some 60,000kg of active ingredients is used on hard surfaces annually. The most commonly used herbicide, glyphosate, is sometimes found to be above the maximum tolerable risk level in surface water. This implies higher costs for drinking water providers, who must treat surface water for pesticide contamination, before it can be used. Objectives The project aimed to reduce herbicide emissions from weed control on hard surfaces to levels acceptable to major stakeholders (water companies and water boards). This was to involve demonstration of a new weed management concept to potential sector users - the managers and planners of hard surfaces and weed-control contractors. The project was to engage five large organisations (municipalities or industrial sites) in its application. Information about the project was subsequently to be disseminated to other users in the Netherlands along the rivers Rhine and Meuse. Results The SWEEP concept was developed in consultation with all the main stakeholders and resulted in a 35% (on average) reduction in the use of chemicals and 90% reduction in herbicide run-off into surface waters in the municipalities where the concept was demonstrated. The SWEEP system aims at a maximum reduction of herbicide use. The upper limit for glyphosate is 360 g active substance per hectare. Registration by municipalities, however, showed that exceedance of this level could not be avoided in all cases. Use in the tested areas ranged from 100 to 600 g active substance per hectare. Glyphosate runoff, however, was a ten times lower than runoff under standard chemical weed control. The additional costs of weed control according to the SWEEP method ranged from hardly any additional costs to a maximum cost increase of 30% in comparison with standard chemical control. This is in particular caused by the use of different techniques on places with a high emission risk (burning, brushing etc.) and fewer days on which work can be done. Chemical-free area management was chosen in a single case; here the costs amounted to € 0.15/m2. The SWEEP concept has since acquired a central position in Dutch policy with respect to chemical weed management on pavement. A certificate, the 'Barometer Duurzaam Terreinbeheer', has been developed as part of the project and will become compulsory for administrators and contractors applying chemical weed control. Furthermore, the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Pesticides (CTB), publicly announced a change in registration for the use of Roundup Evolution herbicide (based on glyphosate). From 1 January, 2007, the use of Roundup Evolution on pavements was restricted to professional users who follow the SWEEP-concept. This restriction is eventually to be placed on the label. These developments are likely to ensure the broad implementation of the SWEEP concept throughout the Netherlands. This will result in a considerable reduction in herbicide run-off into surface waters and therefore contributes to the related objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive. Disclaimer : This « results » section should be considered as a draft until the Commission has completed its evaluation.