Press Release: Environmental impact assessment: Commission to take legal action to improve implementation in Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia

The European Commission is initiating infringement procedures against Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia over violations of a key EU law on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of projects. This directive aims to ensure that the environmental effects of a wide range of infrastructural, industrial and other projects are properly examined before any works are undertaken. The law also gives important participation rights to citizens. The Commission has identified gaps and deficiencies in the laws of these four Member States and is therefore sending first written warnings to ensure that they comply with all the provisions of the Directive.