Press Release: Environment: Commission sends Romania final warning over environmental impact assessments

The European Commission sent on 18 March 2010 Romania a final warning about a breach of EU laws regarding environmental impact assessments. A major formaldehyde production plant was built in Romania in 2007 without a permit and before any impact assessment had been made. Romanian authorities initially ordered the demolition of the plant, but the order was subsequently rescinded by a local court. The Commission is not aware of any sanction being applied to the operator. A failure to act on this second warning could see Romania brought before the European Court of Justice.