Brussels, 04/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - As Sweden has still not fully complied with the directive on integrated pollution prevention and control (2008/1/EC), the Court of Justice of the EU decided on Thursday 4 December to hand down a fixed fine of €2 million and a penalty payment of €4,000 for every day of further delay in the implementation of the first ruling of 2012 (case C-607/10), which found that Sweden was not complying with its obligations in this regard.
Sweden is still not fully in line with European provisions aiming to protect the environment from the consequences of polluting industrial activities. However, compared to recent cases (EUROPE 11209), the Court this time showed clemency. In its verdict (case C-243-13), it noted that Sweden had made substantial progress. As per the date of the hearing, only one installation was not being run in line with the requirements, whereas in its 2012 verdict, the Court noted, following an action for failure to fulfil obligations brought by the Commission, that 29 installations were concerned. The Court initially stressed that the Swedish authorities had worked closely with the Commission throughout the procedure and had jointly agreed that the installation in question did not bring about considerable dangers to the environment and human health. (JK)