The reporting obligations imposed on member states by EU environmental law will be clarified and streamlined under a decision adopted without debate by the Council on Monday 14 May, in the wake of the interinstitutional agreement reached on 22 November 2017 (see EUROPE 11911).
In repealing Directive 91/692/EEC, the decision ends the requirement on member states to submit reports to the European Commission on the implementation of certain EU environmental directives. It also ensures that environmental legislation dating from before 2010 will be adapted to the comitology rules of the Lisbon Treaty. The decision was adopted as part of the Commission’s REFIT programme which seek to make EU law simpler and less costly.
The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which made “better legislation” a priority in the area of the environment, was delighted with this step forward.
“Today’s decision is about cutting red tape and making things simpler. I am very pleased that ministers have approved this revision of legislation, which will make environmental reporting obligations clearer and more efficient”, said President in office of the Environment Council Neno Dimov.
The legislation will come into force on the 20th day after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)