Brussels, 29/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 October, the European Commission sent France and Hungary reasoned opinions requesting them to meet European Union air quality standards because neither country has properly dealt with the problem of the emission of excess particulates in air - pollution known PM10.
According to information available to the Commission, the upper PM10 limits have not always been respected in a number of areas of France and Hungary since 2005. Both countries requested extra time, as allowed subject to certain conditions under EU Directive 2008/50/EC on air quality, but the Commission felt that they had not met the criteria for all the areas where the air quality rules are not properly applied.
The Commission sent a reasoned opinion on Thursday to Belgium, requiring it to introduce the necessary measures to apply the new EU air quality legislation across the entire country. The legislation has so far only been transposed in one of the country's three regions.
France, Hungary and Belgium now have two months to respond to the Commission's demand, failing which they might be sent to the European Court of Justice. (O.L./transl.fl)