Background
The fourth annual report on the implementation of EU environmental law in the Member States published on 17 July, covers the year 2002. It shows that most problems of non-conformity between European legislation and national measures are to be found in the areas of nature, impact assessment, water and waste.
Member States particularly failed to communicate their transposition measures to the Commission in the fields of chemicals and biotechnology.
The United Kingdom, France and Luxembourg failed the most in adopting transposition measures (national laws, regulations and administrative provisions) and communicating them to the Commission in prescribed time limit. Austria is leading in having transposition measures that are not in conformity with the environmental directives.
Commenting on this report, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said that in order to improve implementation of environmental legislation, the Commission will make efforts to develop new working methods with Member States at all stages of the implementation life cycle, in particular in view of the correct and timely implementation of the “acquis communautaire” by the future Member States.
