Brussels, 28/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to launch infringement proceedings against eight member states which have still not fully transposed into their national legal systems the EU directive on pollution from ships and introducing penalties on those responsible for dispersing pollutants at sea (Directive 2005/35/EC), thereby failing to meet the 1 April 2007 transposition deadline.
Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and the United Kingdom will be sent reasoned opinions, the second stage in the infringement proceedings under Article 226 of the Treaty, for failing to remedy this failing, which was pointed out to them in a warning letter earlier this year. (A.N.)