Brussels, 06/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 May, the European Commission sent nine Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain) first written warnings for failing to issue new or updated permits for over 9,000 industrial installations already in operation across Europe.
The aim of the directive is to prevent and control industrial emissions to air, water, and soil and Member States were obliged to issue new permits or review and - where necessary - update existing permits by 30 October 2007 for all industrial installations in operation before 30 October 1999. For Bulgaria, Estonia and Slovenia, new or updated permits had to be issued for industrial installations in operation by the date of their accession to the EU. (O.L.)