Appendix 13 - EU Environmental Legislation: recent developments

Recently adopted EU legislation

Reference

Title

Outline

Implementation Date

2005/32/EC

Setting of eco-design requirements for energy-using products (amend. Direct. 92/42/EEC)

Framework directive creating rules for applying eco-design criteria to a wide range of product groups. As a framework directive legal obligations for manufacturers will only flow from this legislation when followed by implementing measures laying down precise eco-design rules.

Eco-design for Energy–Using Products Regulations 2007

See DEFRA Guidance

2006/482/EC

Fluorinated greenhouse gases,

Regulation to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases

The Regulation will entered into force on the 4 July 2006 and applied from 4 July 2007.

EU Legislation currently being debated by the EU Institutions

In July 2006 the European Commission published a proposal for a new Water Framework Directive Daughter Directive on Priority Substances. The proposed Directive, which is required to support the Water Framework Directive, will set limits on concentrations in surface waters of 41 dangerous chemical substances (including 33 priority substances and 8 other pollutants (see appendix 10) that pose a particular risk to animal and plant life in the aquatic environment and to human health

EU Thematic Strategies

The Sixth Environment Action Programme (6th EAP), which was adopted by the European Parliament and Council in 2002 and runs until 2012, requires the European Commission to prepare Thematic Strategies covering seven areas listed in the table below.

The Thematic Strategies will form the basis of the next generation of environment policy. They set out properties and identify the most appropriate instruments to deliver European policy goals in the future.

COM(2006)231)
The Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection consists of a Communication from the Commission to the other European Institutions, a proposal for a framework Directive (a European law), and an Impact Assessment

It explains why further action is needed to ensure a high level of soil protection, sets the overall objective of the Strategy and explains what kind of measures must be taken. It establishes a ten-year work program for the European Commission.

COM(2006)232
The proposal for a framework directive sets out common principles for protecting soils across the EU.

The latest information about the strategies can be found here.

Reference

Title

Status

COM (2005) 446

Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution

Adopted 21/9/05

COM (2005) 666

Thematic Strategy on Prevention and Recycling of Waste

Adopted 21/12/05

COM (2005) 504

Thematic Strategy on Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment

Adopted 24/10/05

COM (2006) 231

Thematic Strategy on Soil

 

Com (2006) 372

Thematic Strategy on Sustainable Use of Pesticides

Adopted 12/7/06

COM (2005) 670

Thematic strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

Adopted 21/12/05

COM (2005) 718

Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment

Adopted 11/1/06



meta description:

water framework directive
environmental policy
policy and representation
energy
economics and industrial policy
energy efficiency for businesses
business issues
information and research
chemical
chemicals
control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH)
health and safety
recycl
resource efficiency
environmental services
soil
contaminated land
air pollution
air quality standards and air pollution control

Welcome bot    logout | manage your profile

ABOUT EEF
environment register of environmental legislation
privacy policy