The European Commission has decided on Thursday 25 July to send a letter of formal notice to Poland ordering it to comply with a February 2018 Court of Justice ruling (C-336/16) that condemned the country for non-compliance with the Ambient Air Quality Directive (Directive 2008/50/EC).
The reason for this is the slow progress in addressing shortcomings and lack of coordination at the national and local levels, including the replacement of obsolete solid fuel boilers used for heating by households and measures for the transport sector.
Poland has two months to respond to the concerns expressed, failing which the Commission may refer the case to the Court of Justice and ask for financial penalties to be imposed on this Member State.
First warning for Croatia and Greece. Two other countries - Croatia and Greece - will also receive letters of formal notice indicating that the Commission is initiating infringement proceedings for non-compliance with the air quality standards imposed by Directive 2008/50/EC. These two countries will also have two months to respond.
On the same day, the Commission decided to refer Bulgaria and Spain to the Court of Justice for persistent infringement of this directive, which is essential for ensuring clean air for all European citizens (see EUROPE 12304/8). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)