Environment

Did you know …

ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS

One in six jobs in the EU depend on

nature and biodiversity

The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste

Framework Directive help to increase

recycling and reduce landfi ll

The Birds and Habitats Directives

help to restore depleted habitats and

protect endangered species

The Urban Waste Water Treatment

Directive and the Nitrates Directive

are critical to reduce water pollution

and ensure safe drinking water for all

Threats to the environment don’t

stop at our borders

This is why EU Member States have

agreed to put in place measures

that protect citizens’ health and the

environment

European environment law also

ensures that the same rules apply

to businesses, and that citizens are

equally protected

When these laws aren’t respected,

the Commission is on your side and

can even take legal action

The benefi ts of improved bathing

water quality have been estimated

at EUR 97 million

per case per year

Enforcing better management of

protected nature sites can save

EUR 1.2 billion

a year per site

Almost all Europeans say that

protecting the environment is important

to them – nearly 8 out of 10

want the EU to check that environmental

laws are applied correctly in their country

EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy

mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!

Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge

off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd

tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is

to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore

eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge

causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo

nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.

© European U

nion, 2016

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EUEnvironment

EU_ENV

ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?

ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734

KH-04-16-993-EN

-C

ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35

Environment

Did you know …

ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS

One in six jobs in the EU depend on

nature and biodiversity

The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste

Framework Directive help to increase

recycling and reduce landfi ll

The Birds and Habitats Directives

help to restore depleted habitats and

protect endangered species

The Urban Waste Water Treatment

Directive and the Nitrates Directive

are critical to reduce water pollution

and ensure safe drinking water for all

Threats to the environment don’t

stop at our borders

This is why EU Member States have

agreed to put in place measures

that protect citizens’ health and the

environment

European environment law also

ensures that the same rules apply

to businesses, and that citizens are

equally protected

When these laws aren’t respected,

the Commission is on your side and

can even take legal action

The benefi ts of improved bathing

water quality have been estimated

at EUR 97 million

per case per year

Enforcing better management of

protected nature sites can save

EUR 1.2 billion

a year per site

Almost all Europeans say that

protecting the environment is important

to them – nearly 8 out of 10

want the EU to check that environmental

laws are applied correctly in their country

EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy

mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!

Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge

off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd

tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is

to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore

eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge

causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo

nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.

© European U

nion, 2016

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EUEnvironment

EU_ENV

ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?

ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734

KH-04-16-993-EN

-C

ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35

ENFORCEMENT … A FORCE FOR GOOD!

On your side Environmental laws are about protecting

citizens as well as nature. For example,

binding quality standards for water

and air – as well as limits on industrial

emissions – reduce health risks and save

lives. Measures that protect biodiversity

and tackle climate change also make

good economic sense; repairing

mistakes is much more expensive

than preventing them in the fi rst place.

This is why enforcement is a force

for good!

The Commission will take action if

national systems consistently fail to

address breaches of EU environment law.

Other matters, such as compensation

requests, are best handled at the

national level.

Complaint fi led about illegal disposal of hazardous waste

Commission investigates through informal cooperation with the Member State

Warnings follow if no satisfactory reaction

Continued inaction by Member State results in legal action (EU Court of Justice)

Illegal hazardous waste is removed – citizens and environment benefi t

If Member State fails to comply with a judgement by the Court of Justice –

Commission can take further legal action

… Leading to fi nes

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

You can take action if you think that environmental law is being violated.

A good place to start is to report the matter to the local or national

authority who is responsible for applying EU environmental law at the local level.

GREEN PROJECT PLANNING

EU law requires that the environmental implications of certain projects are taken

into account before they are approved, to ensure they are carried out in a

sustainable manner. Th is leads to more transparent decision-making and greater

public involvement.

How the European Commission can can help ... the hazardous waste case!

SAFER DRINKING WATER

Th e Commission brought a case against a Member State region aft er drinking water

was found to be unsafe. Th is led to the construction of new sanitation units and

a water treatment plant, protecting the health of some 49 000 households.

RESPECTING NATURAL HABITATS

Th e European Commission approved a major dam project in southern Europe on the condition that measures to boost Lynx – wild cat species – populations were put in place. Th e results have

been impressive – the fi rst Lynx born in the wild was observed in 2015, aft er being nearly extinct.

200

2050 100

ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 5-8 14-12-16 14:26:36

ENFORCEMENT … A FORCE FOR GOOD!

On your side Environmental laws are about protecting

citizens as well as nature. For example,

binding quality standards for water

and air – as well as limits on industrial

emissions – reduce health risks and save

lives. Measures that protect biodiversity

and tackle climate change also make

good economic sense; repairing

mistakes is much more expensive

than preventing them in the fi rst place.

This is why enforcement is a force

for good!

The Commission will take action if

national systems consistently fail to

address breaches of EU environment law.

Other matters, such as compensation

requests, are best handled at the

national level.

Complaint fi led about illegal disposal of hazardous waste

Commission investigates through informal cooperation with the Member State

Warnings follow if no satisfactory reaction

Continued inaction by Member State results in legal action (EU Court of Justice)

Illegal hazardous waste is removed – citizens and environment benefi t

If Member State fails to comply with a judgement by the Court of Justice –

Commission can take further legal action

… Leading to fi nes

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

You can take action if you think that environmental law is being violated.

A good place to start is to report the matter to the local or national

authority who is responsible for applying EU environmental law at the local level.

GREEN PROJECT PLANNING

EU law requires that the environmental implications of certain projects are taken

into account before they are approved, to ensure they are carried out in a

sustainable manner. Th is leads to more transparent decision-making and greater

public involvement.

How the European Commission can can help ... the hazardous waste case!

SAFER DRINKING WATER

Th e Commission brought a case against a Member State region aft er drinking water

was found to be unsafe. Th is led to the construction of new sanitation units and

a water treatment plant, protecting the health of some 49 000 households.

RESPECTING NATURAL HABITATS

Th e European Commission approved a major dam project in southern Europe on the condition that measures to boost Lynx – wild cat species – populations were put in place. Th e results have

been impressive – the fi rst Lynx born in the wild was observed in 2015, aft er being nearly extinct.

200

2050 100

ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 5-8 14-12-16 14:26:36

ENFORCEMENT … A FORCE FOR GOOD!

On your side Environmental laws are about protecting

citizens as well as nature. For example,

binding quality standards for water

and air – as well as limits on industrial

emissions – reduce health risks and save

lives. Measures that protect biodiversity

and tackle climate change also make

good economic sense; repairing

mistakes is much more expensive

than preventing them in the fi rst place.

This is why enforcement is a force

for good!

The Commission will take action if

national systems consistently fail to

address breaches of EU environment law.

Other matters, such as compensation

requests, are best handled at the

national level.

Complaint fi led about illegal disposal of hazardous waste

Commission investigates through informal cooperation with the Member State

Warnings follow if no satisfactory reaction

Continued inaction by Member State results in legal action (EU Court of Justice)

Illegal hazardous waste is removed – citizens and environment benefi t

If Member State fails to comply with a judgement by the Court of Justice –

Commission can take further legal action

… Leading to fi nes

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

You can take action if you think that environmental law is being violated.

A good place to start is to report the matter to the local or national

authority who is responsible for applying EU environmental law at the local level.

GREEN PROJECT PLANNING

EU law requires that the environmental implications of certain projects are taken

into account before they are approved, to ensure they are carried out in a

sustainable manner. Th is leads to more transparent decision-making and greater

public involvement.

How the European Commission can can help ... the hazardous waste case!

SAFER DRINKING WATER

Th e Commission brought a case against a Member State region aft er drinking water

was found to be unsafe. Th is led to the construction of new sanitation units and

a water treatment plant, protecting the health of some 49 000 households.

RESPECTING NATURAL HABITATS

Th e European Commission approved a major dam project in southern Europe on the condition that measures to boost Lynx – wild cat species – populations were put in place. Th e results have

been impressive – the fi rst Lynx born in the wild was observed in 2015, aft er being nearly extinct.

200

2050 100

ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 5-8 14-12-16 14:26:36

Environment

Did you know …

ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS

One in six jobs in the EU depend on

nature and biodiversity

The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste

Framework Directive help to increase

recycling and reduce landfi ll

The Birds and Habitats Directives

help to restore depleted habitats and

protect endangered species

The Urban Waste Water Treatment

Directive and the Nitrates Directive

are critical to reduce water pollution

and ensure safe drinking water for all

Threats to the environment don’t

stop at our borders

This is why EU Member States have

agreed to put in place measures

that protect citizens’ health and the

environment

European environment law also

ensures that the same rules apply

to businesses, and that citizens are

equally protected

When these laws aren’t respected,

the Commission is on your side and

can even take legal action

The benefi ts of improved bathing

water quality have been estimated

at EUR 97 million

per case per year

Enforcing better management of

protected nature sites can save

EUR 1.2 billion

a year per site

Almost all Europeans say that

protecting the environment is important

to them – nearly 8 out of 10

want the EU to check that environmental

laws are applied correctly in their country

EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy

mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!

Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge

off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd

tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is

to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore

eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge

causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo

nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.

© European U

nion, 2016

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EUEnvironment

EU_ENV

ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?

ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734

KH-04-16-993-EN

-C

ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35

Environment

Did you know …

ENFORCING EU POLICY BRINGS DIRECT BENEFITS

One in six jobs in the EU depend on

nature and biodiversity

The Landfi ll Directive and the Waste

Framework Directive help to increase

recycling and reduce landfi ll

The Birds and Habitats Directives

help to restore depleted habitats and

protect endangered species

The Urban Waste Water Treatment

Directive and the Nitrates Directive

are critical to reduce water pollution

and ensure safe drinking water for all

Threats to the environment don’t

stop at our borders

This is why EU Member States have

agreed to put in place measures

that protect citizens’ health and the

environment

European environment law also

ensures that the same rules apply

to businesses, and that citizens are

equally protected

When these laws aren’t respected,

the Commission is on your side and

can even take legal action

The benefi ts of improved bathing

water quality have been estimated

at EUR 97 million

per case per year

Enforcing better management of

protected nature sites can save

EUR 1.2 billion

a year per site

Almost all Europeans say that

protecting the environment is important

to them – nearly 8 out of 10

want the EU to check that environmental

laws are applied correctly in their country

EEnnviirronnmenttaaall lawwss are vvviiital for EEuurroppee’s lonnggg-termm healllttthh and pproossppeerrity. BBuuut fi rsstt theyy

mmmuust bee pprroopeerrly immppplemeennted aanndd rressppecteddd!!!

Th e EEEUU andd ittss MMeemberr SStateess havee aadoptteedd aa wwiide rannnggge

off ambbiittious eennvviironnmenttaaall lawws to pprrotect ccitiizzennss andd

tthhe envvironnmmment. AA kkeeyy rroole off thhe Eurroopeaannn Commmissssionn is

to eennsure tthat MMMembeerr SSttatteess’ auuthoriitties immpplemmeennt theesse rrullees. Preeventtaative mmeasuurrees are mmoore

eeffff ecttiivve anndd conssiideraabbllyy cheeaapeer thhaan hhaavingg tto unddo thhee ddamaagge

causeed byy unsuusstainaable pprraacticess.. Th e CCommmmissiioon alsoo wannttss to creattee a leevvel pllaayying fifi eldd ssoo

nobody bennefi tss frfr omm not coompllyyiinng with enviroonmeentall llegislaattion.

© European U

nion, 2016

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EUEnvironment

EU_ENV

ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT What’s in it for you?

ISBN 978-92-79-63244-0doi:10.2779/93734

KH-04-16-993-EN

-C

ENV-16-009-00_factsheet_enforcement_EN_final.indd 1-4 14-12-16 14:26:35