Despite already receiving a letter of formal notice, Finland has still not communicated to the Commission its national legislation transposing the so-called Seveso III directive, which aims to prevent major industrial accidents. The Commission announced on Thursday 17 November that it had, therefore, sent a reasoned opinion.
The deadline for transposing Directive 2012/18/EU, known as Seveso III, was 31 May 2015.
The Commission calls on Finland to comply with its legal obligations on incorporating into national law this EU directive which seeks to prevent major industrial accidents involving dangerous substances and to limit their consequences on citizens and the environment. Seveso III updates and tightens the rules introduced by the Seveso I and II directives, for example, with regard to the classification of chemicals and extending the public’s right of access to information and to justice.
The letter of formal notice sent in July 2015 brought no effect.
Finland now has two months to meet its obligations, failing which the case may be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)