On Thursday 17 May, the European Commission went to the European Court of Justice in a case against Italy for failing to transpose directive 2012/39 on controlling human derived tissues and cells.
The directive in question amends the annexes in a 2006 directive on the technical requirements relating to controlling human derived tissues and cells. It stipulates, for example, that the taking of blood samples can be carried out at arranged intervals for which the maximum duration would be 24 months in cases involving the donations of reproductive cells between partners (other than direct donations). It should be applied into national law before 17 June 2014.
Nonetheless, three years after the expiry of this deadline, Italy has still not notified the Commission of the national measures for transposing the said directive, despite a letter of formal notice in July 2014 and a reasoned opinion in February 2015. This explains the Commission's decision to take the country to the European Court of Justice. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)