Environment: implementation of the Community law, minimal criteria for inspections

In adopting its report, drafted by Ms. Caroline JACKSON (EPP, UK), the European Parliament called for the proposed Council Recommendation (non-binding) to be changed into a proposal for a Directive (binding) given the importance of ensuring that Community environment legislation is applied uniformly. The Parliament stresses the importance of encouraging the coordination of inspections and inspection services between the Member States. It demands that Member States ensure that the inspecting authorities after every site visit process or store, in identifiable form, and in data files, the inspection data and their findings. Reports shall be publicly available within 2 months of the inspection taking place. The Commission is invited, in cooperation with IMPEL and the European Environment Agency and other interested parties, to draw up minimum criteria for the qualifications and accreditation of environmental inspectors who are authorised to carry out environmental inspections on behalf of competent bodies or on an individual basis. Member States are invited, in cooperation with IMPEL and other interested parties, and with the support of the Commission, to develop training programmes so as to meet the demand for qualified environmental inspectors. Member States are invited to develop the necessary training programmes so as to meet the demand for qualified environmental inspectors.�