Brussels, 30/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission sent reasoned opinions on Wednesday 29 April to Italy, the Netherlands and Poland enjoining them to take measures to fully incorporate Directive 2010/31/EU on energy efficiency in buildings into their respective national laws.
Under the terms of this directive, which had to be transposed by 9 July 2012, member states must establish and apply minimum energy performance requirements for new and existing 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, from 2021 onwards, all new buildings will be nearly zero-energy buildings.
Having failed to adopt any measures to transpose the directive, Italy and the Netherlands have already received reasoned opinions, in January and June 2013 respectively. Both have, in the meantime, adopted transposition measures, but some of the provisions of the directive remain non-transposed. In July 2014 the Commission decided to refer Poland to the Court of Justice of the EU. Shortly afterwards, Poland responded with the adoption of transposition measures. However, further analysis by the Commission revealed that a few of the directive's provisions have still not been transposed. A further reasoned opinion has been sent to Poland and the decision to refer the country to the Court has been suspended.
If any of the three countries fail to meet their legal obligations within the two-month deadline, the Commission may elect to refer them to the Court of Justice, with the possibility of seeking financial penalties. (Emmanuel Hagry)