Waste management: application of directives 75/439/EEC, 75/442/EEC, 78/319/EEC and 86/278/EEC

Member States were censured by the Committee for "shortcomings and lack of diligence" in enforcing Community waste legislation. In particular, Member States have failed to file reports which they are required to submit on the transposition, application and implementation of Community directives on waste management. In the absence of such reports, it is impossible to determine whether Member States have fulfilled their obligations under the legislation. The committee made its criticism when it adopted unanimously a non-legislative report by Luis CAMPOY ZUECO (EPP, Sp) on a Commission communication on the application of four waste management directives during the period 1989-1994. The directives deal with waste generally, toxic waste, the disposal of waste oil and the use of sewage sludge in agriculture. The resolution called for the consolidation of Community environment law to make it more consistent and transparent and said that a Community regulation was needed to define waste. At present, Member States interpret differently such terms as "industrial waste', 'final waste', 'recycled raw materials' and 'special waste'. The resolution also called on the Commission to provide Parliament with a quarterly list of cases in the Court of Justice against Member States which have defaulted on their obligations. In the event of flagrant violation of EU waste legislation, the committee wants the relevant Member State Minister to appear before it with an explanation. �