Press Release: Italy: Commission pursues legal action over breaches in environmental laws

The European Commission pursued legal action against Italy over two cases in which EU laws to protect the environment are being violated. One case concerns Italy's failure to comply fully with a European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgement condemning it for not adopting in full laws governing the landfilling of waste. In this regard the Commission is sending a first written warning under Article 228 of the treaty, which could lead to Italy being fined if it does not comply. In the second case, concerning the environmental impact assessment procedures for certain major works, the Commission is sending Italy a final written warning under Article 226 of the Treaty.