The Environment Chronicle

The EU Environment Ministers adopted the Chemicals Directive REACH in Brussels today. This concludes the discussion on reforming the European chemicals policy which spanned several years. European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed on a compromise text in early December which was formally adopted today. The REACH Directive will enter into force on 1 June 2007.

On 15 December 2006 the Act Concerning Supplemental Provisions on Appeals in Environmental Matters Pursuant to EC Directive 2003/35/EC (Environmental Appeals Act, in German: Umwelt-Rechtsbehelfsgesetz – UmwRG) came into effect. Germany thereby transformed European law into national legislation, thus improving the rights of the public by extending the associational claim (see also IV. Background information on the development of UmwRG). The UmwRG makes it possible for associations that encourage the objectives of environmental protection (hereinafter referred to as environmental associations) to take action against breaches of environmental law by means of appeal, i.e. opposition or lawsuit. In order to be able to file an appeal under the UmwRG environmental associations need to be recognised.

Act Concerning Supplemental Provisions on Appeals in Environmental Matters Pursuant to EC Directive 2003/35/EC (Environmental Appeals Act)

On 1 December 2006, the EC regulation 2037/2000 was implemented by the Chemikalien-Ozonschichtverordnung.