EU ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

EU environmental policies and legislation protect natural habitats, keep air and water clean, ensure proper waste disposal, improve knowledge about toxic chemicals and help businesses move toward a sustainable economy.

The following is a list of EU Environment and Climate Change related legislation documents and weblinks that are currently available on Lean Business Ireland.

Genetically modified organisms — traceability and labelling
Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC

It puts in place rules to ensure products containing GMOs and food and animal feed derived from them can be traced at all stages of the production and distribution chain.

The rules cover labelling, monitoring environmental and health risks, and the ability to withdraw products where necessary.

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Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
81/462/EEC: Council Decision of 11 June 1981 on the conclusion of the Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution

This Convention establishes a framework for intergovernmental cooperation with the aim of protecting health and the environment from air pollution that is liable to affect several countries. This cooperation covers the development of appropriate policies, the exchange of information, research and the implementation and development of a monitoring system.

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Global partnership for sustainable development
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Towards a global partnership for sustainable development

This communication highlights how the European Union contributes to global sustainable development and the action aimed at establishing a global deal for sustainable development.

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Good-quality water in Europe (EU Water Directive)
Directive 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

It establishes rules to halt deterioration in the status of EU water bodies and achieve "good status' for Europe’s rivers, lakes and groundwater by 2015.

Specifically, this includes:

  • protecting all forms of water (inland*, surface*, transitional*, coastal and ground*);
  • restoring the ecosystems in and around these bodies of water;
  • reducing pollution in water bodies;
  •  guaranteeing sustainable water usage by individuals and businesses.

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Guidelines on environmental and energy State aid
Communication from the Commission — Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020

These European Commission guidelines are new rules on public support for environmental protection and energy to help renewable sources of energy enter the marketplace. Their aim is to support EU countries in reaching their 2020 climate targets while addressing the market distortions that may result from subsidies granted to renewable energy sources.

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How the EU regulates the use of chemicals
Corrigendum to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC

The REACH (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals) regulation provides a comprehensive legislative framework for chemicals manufacture and use in Europe. It shifts from public authorities to the industry the responsibility for ensuring that chemicals produced, imported, sold and used in the EU are safe. It also:

  • promotes alternative methods to animal testing,
  • creates a single market for chemicals,
  • aims to foster innovation and competitiveness in the sector,
  • establishes a European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
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Industrial emissions
Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control)

A recast of seven earlier pieces of legislation on industrial emissions, it lays down rules to prevent and control pollution into the air, water and land and to avoid generating waste from large industrial installations.

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Integrating sustainable development into Community cooperation policy
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - Integrating environment and sustainable development into economic and development co-operation policy - Elements of a comprehensive strategy

The Commission defines a strategy to ensure that the environment plays a key role in the European Union’s economic and development aid to partner countries, to enable those countries to assume their environmental responsibilities in the long term.

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