The European Commission is sending nine Member States first written warnings for failing to issue new or updated permits for over 9,000 industrial installations already in operation across Europe. These Member States did not satisfactorily issue these permits by the 30 October 2007 deadline.

The European Commission is sending nine Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain) a first written warning for failing to issue industrial permits in line with the Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC). The aim of the directive is to prevent and control industrial emissions to air, water, and soil.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "All installations in operation in the European Union must abide by strict emissions standards. These standards have been established in order to minimize the negative effects of industrial pollution on the health of our citizens and the environment."

Member States were obliged to issue new permits or review and update existing permits by 30 October 2007 for all industrial installations in operation before 30 October 1999. For Bulgaria, Estonia and Slovenia, new or updated permits had to be issued for industrial installations in operation by the date of their accession to the EU.

The replies show that the same nine Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain) had an especially large number of installations for which new or updated permits had not been issued, amounting to a combined figure of over 9,000 out of a total of about 52,000 targeted industrial installations throughout the EU.

It is clear that these Member States have not complied with provisions in the directive. This is why the Commission has decided to take legal action against these Member States.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor the permitting progress and to support all Member States in its implementation.