The European Commission (EC) announced on Wednesday, as part of its regular monthly package of infringement decisions, that it is pursuing four legal proceedings against Slovakia in July while closing two others, the TASR news agency reports.
Each month, the Commission publishes the legal action it is taking against EU member states that fail to meet their obligations under European Union law. In July, it decided to close infringement proceedings against Slovakia following the abolition of discriminatory fuel pricing, as well as proceedings related to the repeal of measures that had undermined the protection of whistleblowers. However, Slovakia continues to face four other infringement cases.
In the area of justice, the Commission has called on Slovakia to correctly transpose EU rules on legal aid for suspects and accused persons in criminal proceedings.
In the field of the environment, Slovakia, together with Lithuania, Latvia, and Hungary, received a formal notice to correctly transpose the 2020 Drinking Water Directive into national law. The revised directive aims to protect public health by providing cleaner tap water, updating water quality standards, and addressing pollutants such as endocrine disruptors and microplastics. Member states were required to implement the directive by January 12, 2023.
According to the Commission, Slovakia failed to correctly transpose several provisions of the directive, particularly those concerning the protection and handling of sensitive information related to drinking water supplies, risk-based monitoring programs, and requirements for the timely adoption of corrective measures when risks to human health are identified.
The countries concerned have two months to respond and address the shortcomings. Otherwise, the Commission may issue a reasoned opinion as the next step in the infringement procedure.
The Commission has also sent Slovakia a reasoned opinion over the incorrect transposition of the 2019 Single-Use Plastics Directive. The directive is intended to reduce the environmental and health impacts of certain plastic products and promote the transition to a circular economy. Slovakia incorrectly implemented several provisions, including rules requiring tobacco manufacturers to cover the costs of litter collection. Producers of certain products, such as food containers, beverage cups, and lightweight plastic bags, are also not required to cover the costs of transporting and treating litter. In addition, Slovak legislation does not regulate the allocation of litter clean-up costs.
Slovakia now has two months to respond and adopt the necessary measures. Failing that, the Commission may refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
In the area of employment, the Commission also issued reasoned opinions to Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Spain for failing to notify measures implementing new EU rules on protecting workers from the risks associated with asbestos exposure in the workplace.
Asbestos is a hazardous carcinogen linked to approximately 75% of occupational cancer cases in the European Union. The 2023 directive establishes stronger rules to improve worker protection against the substance. Member states were required to transpose most of its provisions into national law by December 21, 2025, with the remaining provisions due by December 21, 2029.
The six member states now have two months to take the necessary measures. If they fail to do so, the European Commission may refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union and request financial penalties.
Source: TASR
