Brussels, 03/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has decided to pursue infringement proceedings against nine Member States for non-compliance with EU laws on waste despite one or more warnings. More specifically:
Italy, France and Luxembourg will be requested to comply with rulings of the European Court of Justice under Article 228 of the EC Treaty (which enables the Commission to request that the Court apply financial penalties if non-compliance continues after a second Court ruling). Italy has failed to communicate to the Commission required details of its waste management plans for standard and hazardous waste in Sicily and Basilicata (Case C-466/99). France has failed to communicate to the Commission measures to transpose the directive on eliminating PCT/PCT /(Case C-177/01). Luxembourg has failed to adopt the European waste list under the directive on dangerous waste (Case C-196/01).
Italy will also be taken to the Court of Justice (the third stage in the procedure under Article 226 of the Treaty) for failing to fully transpose the framework directive on waste, and will be sent a Reasoned Opinion (second stage of the procedure under Treaty Article 226) for failing to ensure its legislation complies with the same directive.
Sweden is to be referred to the Court of Justice over its failure to put in place an adequate plan for the management of hazardous waste in the region of Thriassio Pedio (near Athens) and will be sent a Reasoned Opinion for failing to fully resolve the problem of illegal dumps, despite efforts made by the authorities.
Spain, Austria, Ireland and Belgium will be sent Reasoned Opinions (second stage in the infringement procedure under Treaty Article 226). Spain for the lack of a waste treatment system at a landfill site at Olvera; Austria for failure to properly apply the waste packaging directive; Ireland for failing to fully transpose the waste packaging directive; and Belgium for refusing to allow the shipment of waste across its frontiers (non-hazardous waste from Flanders to the Netherlands).