Brussels, 27/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission announced on Thursday 26 May that it had sent a reasoned opinion (second stage of the infringement procedure) to Romania for persistent failure to comply with EU environmental law.
The Commission has urged Romania to draw up plans to prevent and manage waste in line with the objectives of EU waste legislation (Directive 2008/98/EC) which seek to reduce the impact of waste on human health and the environment.
Romania had a waste management plan for 2003-2013, but it has not been revised, extended or replaced for the period after 2013. A waste prevention programme should have been in place since December 2013.
The Romanian authorities now have two months to comply with EU law if they wish to avoid their country's being referred to the Court of Justice. Over and above the benefits to public health and the environment, prevention plans and good waste management also serve the objectives of the circular economy, the Commission points out in a press release. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)