Press Release: Public access to environmental information: Commission takes legal action against seven Member States

The European Commission on 11 July 2005 formally asked seven Member States to transpose into their national law an EU law aimed at giving the public better access to environmental information. By having access to information such as results of environmental impact assessments, health impact of emissions etc. citizens have a better chance to influence environmental policy making. The Directive should have been transposed into national law by 14 February 2005. The Member States concerned were Belgium, France, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg and Spain. If a Member State fails to comply with this request, the Commission may refer the case to the European Court of Justice. These actions are part of a series of environment-related infringement decisions against several Member States, which the Commission is currently announcing.