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.

Port facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues
Directive 2000/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2000 on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues - Commission declaration

It enhances the availability and use of port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues.

It also sets out a regime of enforcement, including a system for inspections and for the exchange of information.

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Preventive alert against emergencies
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - Civil protection - State of preventive alert against possible emergencies

Improving cooperation between Member States on the evaluation of risks, alerts and intervention and the storage of such means in the event of terrorist attacks and other possible emergencies.

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Pricing and long-term management of water
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee - Pricing policies for enhancing the sustainability of water resources

The Commission is presenting questions and options in connection with defining water pricing policies enabling the sustainability of water resources to be boosted.

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Production and labelling of organic products
Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91

It lays down a legal framework for organic products. It contains the basic objectives and general principles for organic farming and illustrates the rules on production, labelling, controls and trade with non-EU countries.

In harmonising the rules on the production, labelling and control of organic products, it seeks to ensure that there is

—fair competition between producers and

—greater confidence in these products among consumers.

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Programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) (2014-20)
Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the establishment of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 614/2007

This regulation establishes the fifth version of the LIFE programme, the EU’s main funding framework for environmental and climate change policy. It focuses on concrete environmental and climate policy priorities as well as areas for action.

The programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) for 2014 to 2020 aims to contribute to sustainable development and to the achievement of the objectives and targets of the Europe 2020 strategy, the seventh EU environment action programme and other relevant EU environment and climate change initiatives.

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Promoting sustainable development in the non-energy extractive industry
Communication from the Commission promoting sustainable development in the EU non-energy extractive industry.

The Commission sets out broad policy lines for promoting sustainable development in the EU non-energy extractive industry while reconciling the competitiveness of the industry with environmental protection.

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Protecting biodiversity from invasive species
Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species

It sets out rules to prevent and manage the introduction and spread of IASs in the EU.

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Protecting Europe’s biodiversity (Natura 2000)
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora
  • It seeks to contribute to ensuring biodiversity in the European Union by the conservation of:
    • natural habitats, and
    • wild fauna and flora species.
  • It sets up the ‘Natura 2000’ network, the largest ecological network in the world. Natura 2000 comprises special areas of conservation designated by EU countries under this directive. Natura 2000 also includes the special protection areas classified under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC).
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