European Commission - November infringements package: key decisions

In its monthly package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is pursuing legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas (see Annex I and II), aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

The key decisions taken by the Commission (including 3 letters of formal notice, 32 reasoned opinions, 8 referrals to the Court of Justice of the European Union, and a closure) are presented below and grouped by policy area. The Commission is also closing 78 cases in which the issues with the Member States concerned have been solved without the Commission needing to pursue the procedure further.

For more information on the EU infringement procedure, see the full MEMO/12/1. For more detail on all decisions taken, consult the infringement decisions' register.

1. Energy

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen - tel.: +32 229 56186, Nicole Bockstaller – tel.: +32 229 52589)

Reasoned opinions

Oil stocks: Commission requests ROMANIA to fully comply with the Oil Stocks Directive
Today, the European Commission formally requested Romania to ensure the correct implementation and application of the Oil Stocks Directive (Council Directive 2009/119/EC). The EU rules impose an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products, which must be available at all times, and, therefore, gives security of supply of petroleum resources to the EU. The current Romanian legislation prohibits the use of oil stocks as collaterals, i.e. assets offered to secure a loan. This prohibition could make it more difficult for economic operators to fulfil their obligation to hold stocks. Romania has also incorrectly implemented the rules concerning the right of economic operators to delegate their obligation to hold stocks and the establishment of emergency procedures in the event of a major supply disruption. Since compliance with EU law is not yet in place, the Commission is now sending a reasoned opinion. Romania has two months to inform the Commission of the measures taken to remedy the situation; otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU.

Energy efficiency: Commission urges SLOVENIA to notify its comprehensive assessment on high-efficiency cogeneration

Today the European Commission formally reminds Slovenia to comply with Article 14(1) of the Energy Efficiency Directive (Directive 2012/27/EU). These rules require Member States to carry out and submit to the Commission a comprehensive assessment of the potential for the application of high-efficiency cogeneration and efficient district heating and cooling before 31 December 2015. Since the requirement has still not been complied with, the Commission is now sending a reasoned opinion. Slovenia now has two months to inform the Commission of the measures taken to remedy the situation, in the absence of which the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU. Under the rules, Member States have to take adequate measures to develop efficient heating and cooling infrastructure and/or accommodate the development of high-efficiency cogeneration and the use of heating and cooling from waste heat and renewable energy sources. So far, Slovenia has not communicated its assessment of the potential in this context. For an overview of the transposition of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive by Member State, see Annex III.

Offshore safety: Commission requests BULGARIA, POLAND, SPAIN and the UNITED KINGDOM to fully transpose the EU Directive on safety of offshore oil and gas operations

The European Commission has requested Bulgaria, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom to ensure the full transposition of the Offshore Safety Directive (Directive 2013/30/EU). The EU has put in place a set of rules to help prevent accidents as well as respond promptly and efficiently should such accidents occur. Member States must ensure that companies - to which they grant a license for exploration or production - are well financed and have the necessary technical expertise, and that they keep resources at hand in order to put them into operation when necessary. Companies are also fully liable for environmental damages caused to protected species and natural habitats. The Directive had to be transposed into national law by 19 July 2015. Today, the Commission sent reasoned opinions to Bulgaria, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom as the Commission identified gaps in the national legislation which transposes the Directive. The four Member States now have two months to comply with their obligations; otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer them to the Court of Justice of the EU. Read more

Source: EUROPEAN COMMISION