Final warnings for 2017 issued over EU law breaches

There were no referrals to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) for breaches of environmental directives in the European Commission's final package of infringement measures for 2017, released on Thursday, but the EU executive rounded off the year by issuing a number of warnings over infractions ranging from water and air quality to controls on the use of plastic bags.

Hungary featured prominently in the list of offending member states. It will receive a 'reasoned opinion' — the last stage before cases are referred to the Luxembourg court — for continued non-compliance with provisions of the urban wastewater directive at 22 locations around the country. The Commission may pass the case to the CJEU if Hungary does not clarify within two months how it intends to comply with the directive.