Commission decides to refer FRANCE to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to adopt noise action plans

Today, the European Commission decided to refer France to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to adopt noise action plans for all agglomerations and major roads as required under the Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC). The Noise Directive identifies noise pollution levels and triggers the necessary action as a response, such as appropriate urban planning and noise protection measures.

The European Green Deal, with its zero pollution ambition, aims to effectively protect human health, safeguard the natural environment and reach climate neutrality. Noise is the second most common cause of pollution-related death in the European Union, after air pollution, and noise exposure is increasing.

The Directive requires Member States to adopt maps showing noise exposure within major agglomerations, along main railway lines, main roads and around major airports. These maps serve as a basis for defining measures to reduce noise pollution in the noise action plans. They are key for informing the public about the levels of noise they are exposed to, so that they can verify themselves whether their authorities take sufficient action.

The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to France in May 2013, an additional letter of formal notice in December 2017, followed by a reasoned opinion in September 2023. Despite some progress, the French authorities have not fully addressed the grievances. The Commission considers that efforts by the French authorities have, to date, been insufficient and is therefore referring France to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Background

It is estimated that noise causes 11,000 premature deaths and contributes to 41,000 new cases of ischemic heart disease (caused by a narrowing of heart arteries) per year across Europe. Five million people in the European Union are also estimated to suffer from chronic high sleep disturbance. This is why the Noise Directive requires Member States to adopt action plans to reduce harmful noise within major agglomerations, or around major railway lines, roads and airports.

Since 2013, the Commission opened cases against 15 Member States that did not comply with the key provisions of the Noise Directive. Most of the Member States have complied with the Directive, as a result of the infringement procedure. Apart from the case against France, five noise cases are still open at various stages: The Court of Justice has delivered its rulings for Poland and Portugal. And infringement cases are ongoing for Germany, Greece and Spain.

More Information

EU infringement procedure

Infringement decisions database 

Link to the July 2024 infringement package

Infringement procedure France (INFR(2013)2006)

Report on the implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive

Environmental infringements interactive map