Draft EU environmental liability rules emerge

The European Commission could propose an EU environmental liability regime within weeks, it has emerged. Margot Wallström's environment directorate has drafted a directive proposal and circulated it to other Commission departments for approval. The draft shows only minor changes since a working paper was issued by the directorate in August (EED 02/08/01).

Introducing an EU-wide framework for liability is likely to be one of the toughest tasks environment commissioner Margot Wallström will face. Business, environmental groups and some member states are all far from happy with the direction the proposals have been heading.