Nationally designated areas (NatDA)

This page contains reference material and links for the reporting of the Nationally designated areas. The dataset was formerly known as CDDA but during 2024 the acronym will gradually transition to the more accurate NatDA.

The most recent data call is available from here.

The reporting takes place on Reportnet 3 platform. Permissions are assigned by the Lead reporter. Please contact your Lead reporter or your National Data Flow Coordinator if you require to be assigned with a reporter role. The National Data Flow Coordinator appoints the Lead reporter.

If you need support with the reporting, please contact cdda.helpdesk@eionet.europa.eu

Dataflow specific instructions

• Reporting obligation
• Data dictionary (including the xml schema from the Export option)
• Reporting on Reportnet 3 platform version 1, technical instructions for login, upload and quality checking your nationally designated areas data on the platform. We highly recommend that you use Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge
• Reporting guidelines version 1, The guidelines are still valid for the data format and the Designted Area table. The Linked Dataset table is obsolete in Reportnet 3 and you are not requested to provide it anymore. However, if your national reporting system provides the file you may upload it. References to Reportnet 2 in the guidelines are replaced by the instructions for Reportnet 3 above.
• The list of automatic QC test performed on your submission is available on Reportnet 3 platform, from the yellow Dataflow help icon, tab Dataset schemas. NOTE: accepted coordinate reference systems on Reportnet 3 platform are EPSG3035:ETRS89/ETRS-LAEA, EPSG4258:ETRS89 and EPSG4326:WGS84.
• Automatic QC reports and feedback from ETC/DI on your previous delivery is available in Reportnet 3 platform under the Technical feedback button of your previous delivery. In addition, ETC/DI prepared a [to be updated] dashboard with more information on your recent submission.

Site code allocation service

The cddaId continues to be the thematic identifier of the NatDA records. The cddaId is identical to the site code id of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA_ID). To ensure correspondence between the cddaId of NatDA and the WDPA_ID, the Eionet agreed to add these ids to their sites and EEA distributes site code ids maintained by the WDPA via the Site code allocation service. NFPs and users with "CDDA reporter" role can log in to the Site code allocation service.

• Site code allocation service

Trial use of INSPIRE download services

In 2022, a first trial to directly use INSPIRE download services on Reportnet 3 platform took place. You are welcome to try this option on existing INSPIRE protected sites download services as an alternative to uploading shapefile or GML file to Reportnet 3 platform. Please find guidance in the technical instructions for Reportnet 3 above. You may inform INSPIRE colleagues in your country about this option, please consult this list.

Supporting documents

Note on the consequences of restricting the access to the national designations for the appearance in European and global statistics

Note on the use of the Designated area type (Designated site or Designated boundary).

The importance of reporting the marine nationally designated areas in the context of the MSFD is provided in this document from 2013

• Marine protected areas under the MSFD