EIA Directive – Revised text approved by MEPs

Members of the European parliament’s environment committee have voted overwhelmingly in favour of passing the compromise text into law Following negations between the European commission, parliament and member states in November and December, amendments were made to the commission’s proposed new EIA Directive. On 12 February, members of the parliamentary environment committee voted in favour of...

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Priority Substances in Water Directive : The Irish Presidency secured approval

The Priority Substances in Water Directive controls emissions, losses and discharges of so-called ‘priority substances’ to water by establishing environmental quality standards (EQSs) for them in water and requiring monitoring programmes.  The substances concerned include chemicals, certain metals, biocides, plant protection products and dioxins. For substances classified as priority hazardous substances, the legislation requires their...

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EU Commissioners U-Turn on Crop-based biofuels

The European Commission has confirmed it will limit the amount of crop-based biofuels used in transport in what amounts to a major U-turn on its previous policy. The EU’s target of producing 10 per cent of transport energy from renewable sources by the end of the decade was likely to be met primarily through biofuels...

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Water Framework Directive: Overview and Terms

2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, known as the Water Framework Directive. The Directive is implemented by S.I. 722/2003 European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 The directive relates to planning for protection and improvement of all waters, including surface...

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