Report on the exercise of the power to adopt delegated acts conferred on the Commission pursuant to Directive 2012/18/EU on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances

Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directive 96/82/EC (Seveso III Directive) seeks to reduce the likelihood and consequences of industrial accidents in view of an increased protection of citizens, communities and the environment.

Article 25 of the Directive empowers the Commission to adopt delegated acts in view of adapting Annexes II to VI to technical progress. These annexes list information to be considered in the safety report, major-accident prevention policy and emergency plans of Seveso establishments, the information to be made publicly available as well as the criteria triggering the obligation of Member States to notify the Commission of a major accident. The exercise of the empowerment was deemed necessary for adapting several provisions foreseen by the Directive to technical progress.

To date, taking into account the fact that the Seveso III Directive only became fully applicable as from June 2015, the Commission has not considered it necessary or appropriate to adapt its Annexes II to VI to technical progress. The Commission has therefore, over the past five years, not exercised the delegated powers conferred to it under Directive 2012/18/EU.