Brussels, 18/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - In the welter of monthly infringement procedures published on Thursday 17 October, the European Commission decided to send reasoned opinions (the second stage of the procedure) to a number of member states which have yet to bring their national law into line with European environmental law, despite their having already received letters of formal notice. These countries will now have two months to take action, failing which the Commission may refer them to the Court of Justice of the EU and seek financial sanctions.
Environmental impact assessment. Austria has been sent a reasoned opinion because its national law restricts the rights of individuals to challenge environmental decisions when, under Directive 2011/92/EU, which imposes prior assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment, citizens may ask for a judicial review of decisions taken.
Electrical and electronic waste. Cyprus has failed to fully enact rules on the limitation of hazardous substances in electronic equipment into national legislation (Directive 2002/95/EC) and to enact technical measures on exemptions for certain equipment containing lead, when the deadline for so doing was 2 January 2013. Estonia, too, stands accused of the same failings on the same two directives (it has not adopted technical measures on exemptions for equipment containing lead or cadmium).
Water quality. Denmark has not sent the Commission its river basin management plans (RBMPs), which are a requirement under the water framework directive (2000/60/EC) when the plans had to be sent in 2009. After several reminders, Denmark adopted RMBPs in 2012, but Danish Courts found that the consultation period set by the authorities to comment on the draft plans was too short, and subsequently annulled them. Things are back to square one, then, and the Commission has relaunched the process.
Industrial emissions. Finland and Poland have failed to fully transpose the new directive on industrial emissions (2010/75/EU) into national law, when the deadline was 7 January. In Finland, the directive has still not been enacted on the island of Aland, and Poland has failed to inform the Commission of any national transcription measure. (AN/transl.fl)