EC requests Romania to act on illegal waste dumps, clean tailings ponds

The European Commission on Thursday announced the issue of reasoned opinions to press Romania to act on the 19 waste dumps in this country that still operate without complying with the EU regulations and to ask for the cleanup of tailings ponds at the copper and zinc mining sites in Moldova Noua (south-western Romania).

The EC is worried about Romania's lack of protection for its citizens against the impact of faulty waste management. Despite earlier warnings, the most recent information available to the EC shows that 19 waste dumps in Romania still operate without complying with the EU laws on waste and waste dumps, which results in major hazards for the human health and the environment, an EC release reads.

In order to stimulate Romania to act faster in this area, the EC sends a reasoned opinion, the release points out.

A reasoned opinion was also sent to ask Romania to clean up two tailings ponds at the copper and zinc mining sites in Moldova Noua. The tailings ponds are a major source of toxic dust, with significant impact on human health and on the environment. The CE is worried about the fact that Romania did not take the necessary steps to control the emissions and to prevent the neglect of the sites.

The EU executive body has initiated infringement proceedings in these matters in October 2012. The Romanian authorities have reported on progress, but the goals have not been reached, and the serious problem of toxic dust persists. Therefore, a reasoned opinion is sent, and if Romania fails to act within two months, the Commission can bring the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European executive body warned.

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