Brussels, 20/06/2013 (Agence Europe) -Seven other member states have received reasoned opinions requiring them to inform the Commission of their respective measures for implementing Directive 2010/31/EC.
On Thursday 20 June, the European Commission referred Portugal to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose the energy efficiency of buildings directive. Under this directive, member states must establish and apply certain minimum energy performance requirements for all buildings, ensure the certification of buildings' energy performance and require the regular inspection of heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, the directive requires member states to ensure that, by 2021, all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings. The directive had to be transposed into national law by 9 July 2012.
Portugal was sent a letter of formal notice in September 2012. A reasoned opinion followed in January 2013. Although Portugal is working on draft legislation, no information is available on when this will be adopted, published or come into force. Therefore full transposition is still pending. The Commission has proposed a daily penalty of €25,273.60. The final amount of the daily penalty will be decided by the Court.
Seven member states called to order. The European Commission has also sent reasoned opinions to Belgium, Finland, France, Latvia, Germany, Netherlands and Poland, calling on them to ensure that their obligations under the same efficiency of buildings directive are fully respected. These member states have been called on to notify the Commission of their measures to implement the text.
In September 2012, the Commission began infringement proceedings against 24 member states. Reasoned opinions were then sent out to Italy, Greece, Portugal and Bulgaria in January and to Spain and Slovenia in April. (EH/transl.fl)