On July 25, the European Commission decided to send Romania a reasoned opinion (INFR (2020) 2355) on the grounds that Romania has failed to correctly apply the Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC) and the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC on waste as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851).
The Landfill Directive sets standards for landfills to prevent adverse effects on human health, water, soil and air. Under the Directive, Member States must take measures to ensure that only treated waste is landfilled. Under the Waste Framework Directive, member States are required to recycle and dispose of waste in a manner that does not jeopardize human health and the environment, and are prohibited from discarding, dumping or disposing of waste in an uncontrolled manner.
In November 2021, the Commission issued a formal notification to Romania regarding deficiencies at the country's five landfills, but also regarding Romania's failure to establish an integrated and adequate network of waste management facilities, taking into account the best available technology.
After evaluating the responses submitted by the Romanian authorities, and on the basis of recent data, the Commission concluded that three landfills remained non-compliant, including a landfill plant in Bucharest. It also concluded that the capacity of Romania's prelandfill waste treatment facilities was insufficient to handle mixed municipal and biological waste. The Commission therefore decided to send a reasoned opinion to Romania, which now has two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
