EU issues additional formal notice to Italy over former Ilva in Taranto

Brussels – The European Commission issued a new warning to Italy regarding Ilva in Taranto’s Ilva, a new warning to Italy. The steel plant continues to operate in violation of EU rules, particularly the Industrial Emissions Directive, grounds for an additional letter of formal notice against the government. On the one hand, the EU executive’s decision keeps the dispute within the first stage of the infringement proceedings for now, but on the other, it keeps open an issue that has dragged on for more than 10 years.

The first formal notice to Italy for Ilva in Taranto and its emissions dates back to 2013, in a tug-of-war that never ended despite the many commitments made by the government, most recently by the current economy minister, Giancarlo Giorgetti. The EU, however, does not openly criticize the Apulian steel mills, representing only part of Brussels’ findings. It says Italy has failed “to fully and correctly transpose the Industrial Emissions Directive, and the country “failed to comply with some of the provisions of this Directive as regards the Acciaierie d’Italia installation (ILVA steel plant).”

https://www.eunews.it/2021/05/27/giorgetti-rilancia-lilva-vogliamo-produrre-acciaio-ecologico-a-taranto/ 

The directive aims to prevent, reduce, and, as much as possible, eliminate pollution from industrial activities to protect human health and the environment. There is a widespread, overarching problem when it comes to Italy. “The Italian legislation does not comply with the Industrial Emissions Directive,” and an entire national regulatory framework needs to be reviewed. In particular, national law “does not consider the impact of installations on human health.” Furthermore, it “also does not take into account all harmful pollutants emitted from the installation when authorizing permits.”

​Finally, in the case of irregularities, there is a tendency to turn too much of a blind eye. The Italian legislation on industrial pollution “does not suspend the operation of a plant when a violation of permit conditions poses an immediate danger to human health or the environment.” This is the case that brings back the never-ending story of Ilva in Taranto. “Italy fails to ensure that the Acciaierie d’Italia installation in Taranto operates in conformity with EU legislation on industrial emissions, with serious consequences for human health and the environment,” Brussels said.

On the day the Commission opens 38 new procedures, moves 58 to the second stage, and brings 18 cases before the EU Court of Justice, Italy ultimately gets off with little consequence. In addition to the new warning on Ilva, there is a letter of formal notice, a new procedure for incompletely transposing the directive on shareholders of listed companies, and an additional letter of formal notice for failing to ensure electronic tolling throughout its national territory. As early as December 2020, the EU executive had ordered Italy to transpose EU regulations requiring the extension of Telepass networks correctly.

Electronic toll collection is the alternative to paying directly at the toll booth, allowing the driver to transit without stopping. The technology allows real-time automated vehicle recognition with the driver’s data, including the bank account or prepaid card on which to charge travel costs. The Commission is not proceeding further, given Italy’s progress. Only Sicily remains non-compliant, and the pressure is back on.