03/10/24 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 3 October, the European Commission decided to refer Portugal to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to bring its national legislation fully into line with Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions. In particular, Portugal has not brought the definition of ‘hazardous substances’ laid down in its national legislation fully in line with the Directive. And it has not clearly defined the obligations for the operators of industrial installations or the competent authorities to take appropriate action in case of incidents or accidents. Certain requirements have not been transposed into national law, in particular with regard to the reconsideration and update of permit conditions, the content of the permit for waste incineration plants, the assessment of compliance with emission limit values and to information that must be submitted in case of an installation with likely significant transboundary effects. (MB)