Press Release: Greece: Commission pursues legal action over infringements of EU environmental legislation

The European Commission has decided to pursue legal action against Greece over breaches of three EU laws to protect the environment and public health. The Commission is sending Greece a first written warning for failing to comply fully with a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling requiring it to develop a plan to manage hazardous waste in the heavily polluted area of Thriassio Pedio. This is the first stage in a procedure under which the Commission can ask the ECJ to impose financial penalties if a Member State's response to warnings is unsatisfactory. Greece will also receive final written warnings for continuing to allow the use of fuels with a higher than allowed sulphur content, and for several breaches of the EU law on urban waste water treatment.