Environment Law

Communication on implementing Environment Law by EUbusiness — last modified 07 March 2012, 22:14 CET

Commission Communication on Improving the delivery of benefits from EU environment measures: building confidence through better knowledge and responsiveness

Communication on Implementing EU environment legislation - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 07 March 2012, 22:14 CET

Failing to implement environment legislation is thought to cost the EU economy around EUR 50 billion every year in health costs and direct costs to the environment. In an effort to reduce that figure and deliver better environmental outcomes for people and businesses, the European Commission has issued a communication on better implementation of EU environment law.

Waste Framework Directive by Ross Thomson — last modified 30 April 2011, 00:07 CET

The Waste Framework Directive creates a new framework for waste management in the EU in order to encourage the re-use and the recycling of waste materials and to simplify existing legislation.

EU Ecolabel by Ross Thomson — last modified 05 October 2010, 23:58 CET

The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary award scheme for the most environmentally friendly products on the market. New legislation (Regulation 66/2010) published recently has tried to improve the use and process of awarding the label, as well as creating a designated body responsible for Ecolabel enquiries.

EU Energy Efficiency Labelling by Ross Thomson — last modified 06 October 2010, 00:03 CET

The new EU Directive 2010/30/EC recasts the old Directive 92/75/EEC on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances. However the old Directive only covered household appliances, the new Directive aims to extend this to commercial and industrial sectors and also some non-energy using products.

EU Member States back new rules for auctioning of emissions allowances by Ina Dimireva — last modified 16 July 2010, 00:10 CET

EU Member States supported today proposed rules for auctioning emission allowances valid for the third trading period of the EU ETS starting in 2013 as well as allowances to be used by aircraft operators already as from 2012.

EU asks Poland to comply with rules on flood prevention by Ina Dimireva — last modified 14 July 2010, 18:31 CET

The European Commission asks Poland to comply with EU environmental legislation in the area of flood prevention and risk management.

EU set to cap emission allowances from 2013 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 09 July 2010, 15:48 CET

The European Commission today adopted a decision which determines for the first time a ceiling or 'cap' on the number of emission allowances that will be available under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in 2013, the first year of the 2013-2020 trading period.

Emissions trading: EU ETS cap 2013 - briefing by Ina Dimireva — last modified 09 July 2010, 15:47 CET

The European Commission today adopted a decision which determines for the first time a ceiling or 'cap' on the number of emission allowances that will be available under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in 2013, the first year of the 2013-2020 trading period.

Euro-MPs approve stricter rules on industrial emissions by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 July 2010, 22:39 CET

Clearer rules and cleaner air are among the aims of the Industrial Emissions Directive approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday. Stricter limits will apply for air pollution, for example, although EU Member States will have some flexibility to extend deadlines for power plants or waive the rules for other installations in special cases.

MEPs call for EU directive on biowaste by Ina Dimireva — last modified 06 July 2010, 22:59 CET

Compulsory separate collection and recycling of biowaste should be a central plank of a new EU biowaste directive, said MEPs in a resolution adopted on Tuesday.

Portugal must comply with Natura 2000 rules, warns EC by Ina Dimireva — last modified 24 June 2010, 21:59 CET

The European Commission has requested that Portugal ensure coastal developments in sensitive natural areas are fully compliant with EU environmental protection law.

EU aims for safer electric cars by Ina Dimireva — last modified 15 June 2010, 23:57 CET

The European Commission proposed today to ensure that electric cars placed on the European market are safe and that consumers are protected against direct contacts with parts of the car under voltage.

Euro-MPs urge application of common EU energy rules by Ina Dimireva — last modified 09 June 2010, 17:08 CET

The EU should accelerate the application of common energy policy rules, and the policy itself must aim to improve competitiveness, security of supply and sustainability, concluded a joint meeting of over 250 MEPs and MPs from EU Member States in Brussels on Tuesday.

The Mediterranean Fisheries Regulation - Briefing by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 June 2010, 23:46 CET

The 'Mediterranean Regulation,' adopted by the EU in 2006, aims to improve fisheries management in order to achieve sustainable fisheries, protect the fragile marine environment and restore fish stocks to healthy levels. It applies to EU member states around the Mediterranean. The Regulation is fully in force as of 1 June 2010 but Member States so far have largely failed to take all necessary measures to ensure full implementation.

Sustainable fishing practices cannot be postponed: European Commission by Ina Dimireva — last modified 08 June 2010, 20:13 CET

The European Commission calls on EU Member States to urgently take action in implementing the EU 'Mediterranean Regulation', adopted in 2006, which aims to fight overfishing.

Euro-MPs favour new labels for animal-friendly products by Ina Dimireva — last modified 01 June 2010, 00:18 CET

A European Parliament committee has voted in favour of new product labelling to help consumers identify and choose animal welfare-friendly products.

Commission failed to prove road threat to Iberian lynx: Court by EUbusiness — last modified 26 May 2010, 18:05 CET

The European Commission has failed to prove that the upgrading of a transport link in Spain's Andalusia region risks the extinction of the Iberian lynx, according to an EU Court judgement.

EU moves to strengthen maritime policy by Ina Dimireva — last modified 20 May 2010, 23:19 CET

EU Council of Ministers in June will create a financial instrument to develop a comprehensive maritime policy and will promote the inclusion of a maritime aspect in EU security and defence policies, said on Thursday the Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, Diego Lopez Garrido.

Energy Labelling Directive - Briefing by Ina Dimireva — last modified 20 May 2010, 00:41 CET

The European Parliament today adopted the Energy Labelling Directive, a recast of the existing Labelling Directive which introduced the energy label for household appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, ovens, air-conditioners, dishwashers, washing machines, washer-driers, tumble driers and lamps. The recast of the Directive extends its scope to also cover products in the commercial and industrial sectors in the future.