Brussels, 27/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 26 February, the European Commission asked three countries (Italy, Slovenia and Estonia) to notify it of the transposition measures they have taken for the information procedures for the exchange of human organs (directive 2012/25/EU).
This directive lays down procedures to facilitate cooperation between member states and mutual understanding of the information on organs and donors, for the traceability of the organs and the reporting of serious adverse effects and reactions. The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion. Estonia, Italy and Slovenia have two months to notify the Commission of the measures they have taken to transpose directive 2012/25/EU. If they fail to do so, the Commission could decide to bring these member states before the Court of Justice of the EU.
Human tissue and cells. The Commission also sent reasoned opinions to Denmark, Estonia and Italy requesting that they notify it of the transposition measures for directive 2012/39/EU, which amends the existing requirements applicable to the testing of human tissue and cells.
Human blood. The Commission asked Poland to correctly transpose certain provisions of the directives that lay down quality and safety standards for human blood (2002/98/EC, 2004/33/EEC and 2005/61/EEC). Amongst other measures, these directives set the eligibility criteria for donors, conditions for importing blood from third countries and reporting obligations of blood establishments. As regards the donors, the rules in Polish legislation on the admissibility of minors are less stringent than the EU rules. On blood imported from third countries, the traceability and testing requirements provided for under the Polish legislation are not equivalent to those which apply to blood collected in the EU. Finally, on reporting obligations of blood establishments, not all of the elements required in the annual activity reports of these establishments are reflected in the Polish legislation.
Finally, Bulgaria has received a reasoned opinion. This country must notify the transposition measures for the directive on harmful organisms. This directive withdraws Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Western Corn Rootworm), a harmful organism of maize, from the list of regulated harmful organisms, because this plant pest is now established in a large part of the Union territory. To date, Bulgaria has not yet notified the Commission of the measures transposing this directive into national law, despite being required to do so by 31 May 2014. (Lionel Changeur)