Brussels, 29/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided on Thursday 28 April to move to the next stage in the infringement proceedings opened against Germany and Poland for their delays in transposing EU legislation on preventing major industrial accidents.
A reasoned opinion (second stage in the procedure) sent to each of the two member states urges them to inform the Commission of their respective national measures to enact in national law Directive 2012/18/EC, known as Seveso III, which came into force on 1 June 2015.
Despite their receiving initial warnings on 22 July 2015, neither Germany not Poland has met their obligations.
The Commission now hopes that, this time, the two countries will comply with EU law within the two months allotted them. The directive is a key piece of legislation which seeks to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and limit their consequences on citizens and the environment. The Seveso III directive updated the previous Seveso II, including on the classification of chemicals and increased rights for citizens to access information and justice. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)