Press Release: Public procurement: Commission sends formal request to Germany concerning award of services for collection and disposal of waste water by city of Hamm

The European Commission decided to send a formal request to Germany concerning the award of services for the collection and disposal of waste water by the city of Hamm to the water association Lippeverband in the year 2003 without carrying out tender procedures. This formal request took the form of a 'reasoned opinion', the second stage of the infringement procedure laid down in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.