Brussels, 25/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 25 June, the European Commission issued a reasoned opinion to Slovakia for not having correctly transposed a directive setting out common rules for ship inspection and survey organisations (directive 1994/57/EC). The Commission says that Slovak legislation allowed the use of a classification society other than a society recognised under the directive provided that it had submitted an application to the Commission connected with that recognition. However, there are no provisions in the directive allowing the use of a classification society if it has not been the subject of a formal recognition decision by the Commission. Article 3 of the directive prevents member states from entrusting duties of inspection and survey of ships flying their flag to organisations other than those granted recognition by the Commission following a procedure laid down by the directive. If Slovakia does not respond within two months, the Commission may refer it to the Court of Justice. (A.By./transl.rt)