Press Release: Major industrial accidents: Commission takes legal action against Spain

The European Commission has sent a final written warning to Spain urging it to correctly transpose into national legislation an EU law on the control of major industrial accidents involving dangerous substances. This EU law is known as the Seveso II Directive and aims to avoid or minimise the consequences of major industrial accidents through a variety of preventive measures. The Commission considers that Spanish legislation is not offering adequate protection for the public and the environment. Notably, it fails to meet the requirements of the Directive in relation to emergency plans, land-use planning, public information and inspections. In the absence of a satisfactory response to its letter, the Commission may refer Spain to the European Court of Justice.