The European Commission has asked four member states (Greece, Italy, Slovakia and Spain) to comply with European rules aiming to limit late payments.
The directive (2011/7) on late payments reinforces the rights of creditors by setting in place a maximum payment term (30 days or 60 days under exceptional circumstances) for companies that have won public procurement tenders (see EUROPE 10240).
The Commission is asking these member states to modify their national legislation for the following reasons: - Greece: new legislation removing creditors' rights to interest and compensation (additional letter of formal notice); - Italy: excessively late payment by public authorities (reasoned opinion); - Slovakia: excessively delayed payments in the public health sector (letter of formal notice); - Spain: legislation systematically extending the statutory payment term by 30 days (letter of formal notice).
These four countries have two months to notify the Commission of the measures taken to remedy the situation. Italy, however, is liable to be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The Commission has also decided to close proceedings against Portugal, which has brought its national legislation into line with the directive. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)