5.10.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 308/1 | (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) NO 1682/2004 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 September 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and in particular Article 175(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), After consulting the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (2), Whereas (1) The financial instrument for the environment, LIFE, as established by Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), is being implemented in phases the third of which will end on 31 December 2004. (2) Given the positive contribution of LIFE to the attainment of the objectives of Community policy on the environ- ment and with a view to further contributing to the implementation, updating and development of Commu- nity environment policy and of environment legislation, in particular as regards the integration of the environ- ment into other policies, and to sustainable development, the duration of the third phase should be extended until 31 December 2006. (1) ©OJ C 80, 30.3.2004, p. 57. (3  Opinion of the European Parliament of 21 April 2004 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of 26 July 2004. () O] L 192, 28.7.2000, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 788/2004 (O] L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 17). (3) A Sixth Community Environment Action Programme was adopted on 22 July 2002 by Decision No 1600/ 2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4. It is necessary to adapt Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 to the objectives and priorities laid down in that Programme. (4) There is a need to bridge the gap between the expiry of the third phase of LIFE and the new, post-2006 financial perspectives, for a period of two years ending on 31 December 2006. (5) LIFE should be reinforced as a specific financial instrument, complementary to the Community research programmes and to the Structural Funds and rural development programmes. Efforts should be made to encourage more efficient use of these Community financial instruments for the funding of elements of environment and nature projects. Appropriate measures should also be put in place to prevent the possibility of double funding. (6) The Communication entitled ‘Developing an action plan for environmental technology’ was adopted by the Commission on 25 March 2003. This Communication was followed by an environmental technology action plan adopted on 28 January 2004, which should serve as a reference for the guidelines for LIFE Environment. (7) The Court of Auditors’ special report No 11/2003 (%) examined the conception, management and implementa- tion of LIFE. It is appropriate to have regard to the Court’s recommendations. (4 OJL 242,10.9.2002, p. 1. (’) 0OJ C 61, 10.3.2004, p. 1.