January infringements package: key decisions

Overview by policy area

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that fail to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses. The key decisions taken by the Commission are presented below and grouped by policy area. The Commission is also closing 72 cases where the issues with the Member States concerned have been solved. In these cases, the Commission does not have to pursue the infringement procedure further.

At the same time the Commission is also taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify measures they have adopted to transpose EU directives into their national laws. The deadline to transpose these ten directives has expired recently. The Commission is sending a letter of formal notice to these Member States, giving them two months to reply and complete the transposition of the directives. If they fail to do so, the Commission may pass to a next step and issue a reasoned opinion. The Commission is urging them to take immediate action to bring their laws in line with EU requirements.

The Commission's enforcement activities and Member States' compliance with EU law can be followed through interactive maps and customisable graphs. For more details on the history of a case or to access the full database of infringement decisions, the infringement decisions' register is open for consultation. And more information on the EU infringement procedure can be found in the following Q&A.

 

1. Environment

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 229 54673)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Denmark, Italy and Luxembourg to ensure compliance with the Water Framework Directive  
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Denmark (INFR(2025)2209), Italy (INFR(2025)2207) and Luxembourg (INFR(2025)2216) for failing to correctly transpose the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC), including the obligation to carry out periodic reviews of water permits. Full implementation of EU water quality standards is key to protecting human health and the environment. The Directive requires Member States to establish a programme of measures for each river basin district to ensure good status of European water bodies, such as rivers and lakes. Each programme must include measures to control different types of pressures affecting water bodies, such as water abstraction, point source discharges, and diffuse pollution sources. Member States are required to periodically review and update these control measures, including any permits granted, to determine whether they still achieve their objectives and, if necessary, update them. In Denmark, water abstraction permits are not reviewed, although their validity period can be up to 30 years long. This is not in line with the objectives of the Directive. Furthermore, Danish legislation exempts riverbank owners from the requirement to obtain a water abstraction permit for providing river water to their cattle. Finally, 215 water supply plants have no valid abstraction authorisations. In Italy, national legislation does not guarantee the registration of every water abstraction or impoundment permit, such as impounding water by building a dam. In addition, concessions are not subject to any periodic review although the validity periods can be 30 or 40 years. This is not in line with the objectives of the Directive. Luxembourg incorrectly transposed the obligation to periodically review water abstraction permits. In Luxembourg, permits for the abstraction of groundwater granted from 2015 onwards are valid for seven years. However, those that were granted before 2015 remain valid indefinitely and there is no obligation to review them periodically with a view to achieving the objectives of the Directive. There is also no periodic review of permits of unlimited duration for abstraction of surface water and discharge into such waters. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to Denmark, Italy and Luxembourg, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Spain and Romania to submit their implementation reports under the Habitats and Birds Directives  
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Spain (INFR(2025)2214) and Romania (INFR(2025)2215) for failing to comply with their reporting obligations under the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC). The Habitats and Birds Directives require Member States to submit implementation reports to the Commission every six years in an agreed format. The reports required provide an assessment of the conservation status of the habitats and species covered by the Habitats Directive, as well as the wild bird species, based on the status and trends of populations and habitats, as well as the main pressures and threats affecting them. The reports also include information on the conservation measures taken for them and the contribution of the Natura 2000 network to the conservation objectives laid out in the Directives.  Spain did not submit the implementation report under the Habitats Directive, and Romania did not submit the report under the Birds Directive, for the 2019-2024 cycle. The deadline for this reporting cycle was 31 July 2025. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to Spain and Romania, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcoming raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Italy to update its national air pollution control programmes to reduce the emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants  
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Italy (INFR(2025)2198) for failing to update its national air pollution control programme under the Directive on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants (NEC Directive) (Directive (EU) 2016/2284). The NEC Directive sets national emission reduction commitments for several air pollutants to be achieved by each Member State each year between 2020 and 2029, with more ambitious reductions for 2030 onwards. It also requires Member States to adopt national air pollution control programmes (NAPCPs) setting out measures to meet those commitments. The NEC Directive requires Member States to update their NAPCPs at least every four years. These updates show the progress made by Member States in implementing the programme and how they keep on track to meet their commitments. This contributes to reducing emissions of air pollutants, thus improving air quality. Despite several reminders, Italy has to date not submitted the required updated NAPCP to the Commission. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Italy, which now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Latvia to correctly transpose the Waste Framework Directive  
The European Commission decided to issue a letter of formal notice to Latvia (INFR(2025)2205) for failing to correctly transpose the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC as amended by Directive 2018/851/EU), which aims to prevent or reduce the generation of waste. This is crucial for the EU's competitiveness and the transition to a circular economy. The amended Directive sets binding targets for recycling and preparing municipal waste for reuse. It also introduces requirements for Member States to improve their waste management systems and the efficiency of resource use. The deadline for Member States to transpose the amended Directive into their national legislation was 5 July 2020. Latvia has failed to correctly transpose requirements related to waste recovery, the ban on mixing of hazardous waste, the rules for bio-waste, the content of the waste management plans, and the extended producer responsibility scheme. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Latvia, which has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.

Reasoned opinions

Commission calls on Czechia to comply with the Landfill Directive and improve its treatment of waste
Today, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Czechia (INFR(2022)2017) for failing to correctly apply the Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/850) and the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC 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 this Directive, Member States must take measures to ensure that only waste that has been subject to treatment is landfilled. Under the Waste Framework Directive, Member States must recover and dispose of waste in a manner that does not endanger human health and the environment. The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Czechia in April 2022. However, the identified shortcomings have not yet been remedied. Firstly, Czechia has not transposed correctly the obligation to pre-treat waste before landfilling. Indeed, the Czech legislation allows waste to be landfilled if there is a separate collection system in place, while the Directive requires that only waste that has been subject to treatment is landfilled. Furthermore, recyclables and biodegradable waste reach landfill sites where the disposed waste is not treated with an adequate selection of different fractions of waste; also, the organic fraction of disposed waste is not stabilised before being landfilled. This concerns all 118 landfills of municipal waste currently in operation in Czechia. The Commission notes that excessive reliance on solutions to increase the capacity to treat mixed waste, such as mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) or incineration capacity, would be counterproductive. Czechia has not yet taken all the planned measures to support separate collection of municipal waste, such as increase of landfilling fees and an introduction of the ‘pay as you throw' principle. The Commission has also identified several challenges and opportunities in the 2023 Early warning report. Therefore, the Commission decided to issue a reasoned opinion to Czechia, 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.

Commission calls on Belgium to take the necessary steps to protect and restore its Natura 2000 sites
Today, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Belgium (INFR(2015)2007) for failing to protect habitats and species of EU interest. Under the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC), Member States agreed, as a key requirement under those Directives, to develop a coherent Natura 2000 network by proposing adequate sites of Community importance to the Commission. After a site has been endorsed by the Commission, the Member State has six years to designate it as a special area of conservation (SAC) and to establish the necessary conservation objectives and measures, which should contribute to maintaining or restoring the protected species and habitats to a favourable conservation status. On 27 March 2015, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Belgium for failing to designate several sites as SAC in the Brussels capital and Walloon regions, as well as two marine sites under federal responsibility. The Commission also found that Belgium failed to set site-specific conservation objectives for those sites. Since then, Belgium has made significant progress by designating all sites as SAC, setting general conservation objectives and adopting some of the required measures. However, while the Walloon region has set conservation objectives and measures aimed at preventing deterioration, it has not so far set any site-specific objectives and measures aimed at restoring species and habitats. As regards the two Belgian marine SACs (Vlaamse Banken and Vlakte van de Raan), conservation measures concerning fishing activities, notably bottom trawling, are still not adopted. Therefore, the Commission decided to issue a reasoned opinion to Belgium, 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.

Referral to the Court of Justice

Commission decides to refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union over failure to close and rehabilitate landfills
Today, the European Commission decided to refer Romania (INFR(2020)2276) to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to comply with its obligations on the landfill of waste under the Treaty of Accession for Romania and the Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/850). The transitional derogation granted under the Accession Treaty allowed certain landfills to operate until 16 July 2017, after which all non-compliant landfills were to be closed and rehabilitated. Romania has reported that 92 landfills have been closed and rehabilitated, but 15 sites are still operating, without clear rehabilitation plans. This is why the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Romania in October 2020 and a reasoned opinion in February 2024. Despite some progress, the Romanian authorities have not fully addressed the concerns, as 9 sites are still not rehabilitated. The Commission considers that efforts by the Romanian authorities have, to date, been insufficient and is therefore referring Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union. More information is in the press release.

Letter of formal notice post-judgment (Article 260 TFEU)

Commission calls on Poland to implement the judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU and ensure access to justice as regards forest management plans
The European Commission decided to send a letter of formal notice to Poland (INFR(2018)2208) for failing to comply with the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 2 March 2023 (C-432/21). The Court of Justice found that Poland failed to fulfil its obligation under the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC), the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the Aarhus Convention. Poland did not ensure that environmental organisations can challenge before national courts the substantive and procedural shortcomings of forest management plans, which may impact Natura 2000 sites. Access to justice is crucial to ensuring that the public can have a say in environmental governance and environmental decision-making. Almost three years since the judgment, Poland has still not complied with the ruling. There are no legal avenues for environmental NGOs to challenge forest management plans before national courts. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Poland, which now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to refer Poland to the Court of Justice with a request to impose financial sanctions.

 

2. Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

(For more information: Siobhan McGarry – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Rüya Perincek – Tel.: +32 460 76 25 10)

Letters of formal notice

Commission asks Germany to comply with EU rules on free movement of services and legally resident third-country nationals
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Germany (INFR(2025)4025) for failing to comply with EU rules on the free movement of services and the free movement of legally resident third-country nationals, in particular as regards certain postings of third-country nationals employed by EU undertakings. The EU rules on the free movement of services aim to create a single market where service providers can operate without disproportionate burdens and obstacles across the EU, while ensuring the protection of workers' rights. Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), read in conjunction with Article 21 of the 1990 Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement (CISA), provides for the free movement of services and allows service providers to post third-country nationals lawfully staying and lawfully employed in a Member State, to another Member State. However, German national measures require third-country nationals who have already undergone immigration checks and hold a residence permit or long-stay visa issued by another Member State to apply for and obtain an additional, so-called Vander Elst visa at diplomatic representations to be posted to Germany for a period of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The Commission considers that this additional visa requirement restricts the freedom to provide services under Article 56 TFEU in conjunction with Article 21 CISA, which provides for visa free travel for up to 90 days in any 180 days period. Germany now has two months to address the concerns raised by the Commission. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion to Germany.

Commission urges Poland to comply with Court of Justice of the EU ruling on pharmacy advertising ban
The European Commission has decided to issue a letter of formal notice to Poland (INFR(2018)4028) under Article 260 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) for failing to comply with the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 19 June 2025 (Case C-200/24). The Court found that Poland infringed the E-commerce Directive (Directive 2000/31/EC), as well as Article 49 and Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU TFEU, by prohibiting advertising for pharmacies, pharmaceutical outlets, and their activities under the Polish Pharmaceutical Law. This action forms part of the Commission's broader efforts under the Single Market Strategy to remove unjustified barriers and ensure the effective functioning of the Single Market. Advertising plays a key role in enabling market entry and expansion, while also constituting an important source of information for consumers. While acknowledging that Poland has started preparatory legislative work, the Commission considers that Poland has still not enacted the measures required to lift the ban on pharmacy advertising. Poland now has two months to address the concerns raised by the Commission. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case back to the Court of Justice of the European Union with a request to impose financial sanctions.

Commission calls on Member States to comply with the Directive simplifying reporting requirements in the fields of food and food ingredients, outdoor noise, patients' rights, and radio equipment
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to 12 Member States for failing to notify national measures transposing Directive (EU) 2024/2839. This directive amends several EU directives with the objective of simplifying certain reporting requirements in the fields of food and food ingredients, outdoor noise, patients' rights and radio equipment. As regards Directive 2000/14/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors, the Directive simplifies and streamlines reporting obligations, reducing administrative burden, while maintaining the existing level of environmental protection. Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden have not notified their national measures transposing the provisions related to Directive 2000/14/EC by the transposition deadline or have communicated only partial measures. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the Member States concerned that now have two months to respond, complete their complete transposition and notify those measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Reasoned opinion and additional reason opinion

Commission calls on Slovenia to ensure public pharmacy institutes follow EU procurement rules for medicines
Today, the European Commission decided to issue a reasoned opinion to Slovenia (INFR(2025)4011) concerning the procurement of medicines by public pharmacy institutes. According to Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement, the contracting authorities must use the open standard procurement procedures for all their purchases above a certain amount. The negotiated procedure without prior publication can only be used in special situations duly justified, as consistently confirmed by the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. In December 2024, Slovenia amended its pharmacies' legislation, widening the use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication for the purchase of medicines by public pharmacy institutes. The Commission considers that this amendment breaches the Member State's obligations under Directive 2014/24/EU and that the justifications put forward by Slovenia in its reply to the letter of formal notice do not bring a solution to the issues raised by the Commission in its initial assessment. Slovenia now has two months to address the concerns raised in the reasoned opinion. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer Slovenia to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Commission calls on Romania to comply with payment deadlines in health insurance sector
The European Commission decided to send an additional reasoned opinion to Romania INFR(2024)4004 for failing to ensure that pharmacies are paid on time for medical products dispensed to patients under the national health insurance programme. Late payments negatively impact businesses by reducing liquidity, hindering growth, and weakening resilience. They also limit a business's ability to implement greener practices and embrace digital transformation. In the current economic context, businesses and especially SMEs rely on regular payments to operate and pay their employees. Article 4 of Directive 2011/7/EU obliges public authorities to pay their invoices within 30 days, or 60 days for authorities providing healthcare. Under the Directive, public authorities are required to pay their suppliers on time, setting a positive example in fighting poor payment practices in the private sector. The Commission issued an additional reasoned opinion due to continued and systematic delays by the national health insurance house (‘CNAS') in paying pharmacies for medical products dispensed under the national health insurance programme. Information from the Romanian authorities shows that, in at least three out of nine categories, pharmacies are paid on average between 65 and 73 days, exceeding the 60-day deadline. As data were provided only at the reply to the reasoned opinion stage, the Commission considered it necessary to issue an additional reasoned opinion so that this information could be formally assessed for potential future actions. This is due to the procedural requirements on infringement procedures. Romania now has two months to address the concerns raised by the Commission. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

 

3. Migration, Home Affairs and Security Union

(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Cristina Dumitrescu – Tel.: +32 2 296 60 91)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Greece and Romania to correctly transpose the provisions of the Firearms Directive   
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending letters of formal notice to Greece (INFR(2025)2218), and Romania (INFR(2025)2219) for failing to correctly transpose some of the provisions of the Firearms Directive (Directive (EU) 2021/555) relating to the registration and safe storage of firearms. The Firearms Directive sets common minimum standards on the acquisition, possession, and commercial exchange of civilian firearms, for example firearms used for sport shooting and hunting. The rules under the Directive allow for the lawful use, movement and trade of firearms, essential components, and ammunition for civilian use within the EU. At the same time, the Directive keeps high standards of security and protection against criminal acts and illicit trafficking of firearms. The Commission is sending letters of formal notice to Greece and Romania, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Member States to notify national measures transposing the Directive aligning the rules on information exchanges related to terrorist offences with EU data protection rules   
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to  8 Member States for failing to notify  national measures transposing the Directive (EU) 2023/2123 amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA to ensure its alignment with Union rules on the protection of personal data. The Directive ensures that Member States can exchange information on terrorist offences effectively and securely, while guaranteeing strong safeguards for personal data and fundamental rights. Member States had to transpose the Directive (EU) 2023/2123 by 1 November 2025. Council Decision 2005/671/JHA lays down specific rules on the exchange of information and cooperation concerning terrorist offences. The Directive reviews and updates its provisions to align with Directive (EU) 2016/680, which sets EU-wide rules for the protection of personal data used for law-enforcement purposes, including the  prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of  criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties. Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia, failed to communicate complete transposition of the Directive to the Commission.  The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the concerned Member States, which now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify their measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.  

Reasoned opinion

Commission calls on Greece to correctly transpose the provisions of the Child Sexual Abuse Directive
Today, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Greece (INFR(2019)2230) for failure to correctly transpose into national law the Directive 2011/93/EU on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. The EU rules oblige Member States to criminalise child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse material. The Directive includes minimum rules concerning the definition of criminal offences and sanctions and introduces provisions to strengthen the prevention of those crimes and the protection of child victims. The Directive also requires Member States to promote regular training for officials and to ensure that effective intervention programmes or measures are made available to offenders. Greece has incorrectly transposed certain provisions related to assistance to child victims, other victims and preventive intervention programmes. In the absence of a correct transposition of these rules, the Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion to Greece, 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.

 

4. Justice

(For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Yuliya Matsyk - Tel.: +32 2 226 27 16)

(For more information on Equality: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Slovakia to comply with EU rules on the protection of whistleblowers
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Slovakia (INFR(2026)2012) for breaching EU rules on the protection of whistleblowers. The Whistleblower Directive (EU)2019/1937)  requires Member States to ensure that whistleblowers have effective, independent channels to report breaches of EU rules confidentially, that these reports are effectively investigated and acted upon, and that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation.  It requires that Member States establish competent authorities that are autonomous and independent and ensure the confidentiality of whistleblowers. In December 2025, the Slovak parliament adopted an amendment to its whistleblowing protection legislation through a fast-track procedure that would dissolve the Slovak Whistleblower Protection Office and result in the early termination of the mandate of its President and Vice-President. The law also introduced a “review mechanism”, which would allow authorities and public prosecutors to withdraw protection from whistleblowers at any time, even if they were protected under the previous version of Slovakia's whistleblower protection legislation. This review can also be undertaken at the initiative of the employer, who is informed about the fact that protection has been granted, exposing whistleblowers to retaliation.  The decision to withdraw the protection from a whistleblower is also not subject to judicial review, which would have a negative impact on the fundamental right to an effective remedy as laid out in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.  The Commission has voiced its concerns in detail and repeatedly to the Slovak authorities. The Slovak parliament adopted these amendments in spite of the concerns raised by the Commission. In the meantime, the Slovak Constitutional Court suspended the entry into force of the law until it takes a decision on substance regarding the compliance with Slovak constitutional law. In view of the fact that the Commission considers that this law breaches EU rules, it is sending a letter of formal notice to Slovakia. Slovakia has one month to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Czechia and Slovakia to correctly transpose EU rules on legal aid
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Czechia (INFR(2025)2211) and Slovakia (INFR(2025)2212) for failing to transpose the Directive (EU) 2016/1919 on legal aid for suspects and accused persons. EU law ensures that the basic rights of suspects and accused persons are protected. Common minimum standards are necessary for judicial decisions taken by one Member State to be recognised by others. Czechia only grants the right to legal aid to accused persons, meaning persons who are formally charged with an offence, and not to suspects, who are persons suspected of an offence by law enforcement authorities but not formally charged. Czechia also fails to guarantee legal aid in certain circumstances when a person is brought before justice to decide on pre-trial detention. The Commission identified the same issues in Slovakia. Additionally, Slovakia does not provide access to legal aid for persons arrested in another Member State on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant issued by Slovakian authorities. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Czechia and Slovakia, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Member States to fully transpose the Directive on financial services contracts concluded at a distance 
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to 21 Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Ireland, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden) for failing to communicate complete transposition of the Directive on financial services contracts concluded at a distance (Directive (EU) 2023/2673). The Directive establishes rules enhancing the level of consumer protection for financial services sold at a distance, such as over the phone or online, notably by introducing a ‘withdrawal button' that allows consumers to withdraw from a contract with a single click. Member States had until 19 December 2025 to transpose the Directive into their national law. To date, the 21 Member States mentioned failed to communicate complete transposition of the Directive to the Commission. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the 21 Member States concerned, which now have two months to respond and notify their complete transposition measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion. 

Commission calls on Member States to fully transpose the Directive on credit agreements for consumers 
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to  23 Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Ireland, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, and Sweden) for failing to communicate complete transposition of the Directive on credit agreements for consumers (Directive (EU) 2023/2225). The Directive aims to enhance consumer protection in the credit market, ensuring transparency and fairness in credit transactions across Member States.  Member States had until 20 November 2025 to transpose the Directive into their national law. To date, the 23 Member States mentioned failed to communicate complete transposition of the Directive to the Commission. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the Member States concerned that now have two months to respond and notify their complete transposition measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion. 

Reasoned opinions and additional reasoned opinions

Commission calls on Belgium, Czechia, France, Cyprus, Latvia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden to comply with accessibility requirements for products and services.
Today, the European Commission decided to send reasoned opinions to Belgium (INFR(2022)0287), Czechia(INFR(2022)0293), France (INFR(2022)0305),Latvia (INFR(2022)0313) and Finland (INFR(2022)0303), for incomplete transposition of the European Accessibility Act (Directive(EU) 2019/882) on accessibility requirements for products and services across the EU. Moreover, the European Commission has also decided to send additional reasoned opinions to Cyprus (INFR(2022)0291), the Netherlands (INFR(2022)0315), Slovenia (INFR(2022)0324) and Sweden (INFR(2022)0322). Adopted in 2019, the European Accessibility Act requires that when key products and services are placed on the market, they are accessible for persons with disabilities. This includes phones, computers, e-books, banking services and electronic communications. The aim of the Act is to increase active participation in society, including in education and in employment, and increase autonomy and mobility opportunities of persons with disabilities, representing more than 100 million persons in the EU. The deadline for Member States to transpose the Directive was 28 June 2022 and economic operators had to ensure that they comply with the set of common EU accessibility requirements laid down in the Act by 28 June 2025. The Commission had previously issued letters of formal notice to these Member States in 2022 for failing to communicate complete transposition measures. Although the Member States have since communicated more transposition measures and made some progress, the Commission considers that there are still some transposition gaps. These gaps are significant and vary by country. Some recurring gaps relate to provisions on accessibility requirements for answering emergency communications, as well as the scope, definitions and enforcement provisions. Therefore, the Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion to countries that received a letter of formal notice, and an additional reasoned opinion to those that had already received one previously. These countries now have two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union with a request to impose financial sanctions.

 

5. Energy and climate

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Cristiana Marchitelli – Tel: +32 2 298 94 07; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Member States to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty
Today, the European Commission decided to send letters of formal notice to 16 Member States that remain contracting parties to the Energy Charter Treaty after the European Union and Euratom withdrew from that Treaty on 28 June 2025. The Member States concerned are: Belgium (INFR(2026)2222), Bulgaria (INFR(2026)2223), Czechia (INFR(2025)2225), Estonia (INFR(2025)2226), Ireland (INFR(2025)2231), Greece (INFR(2025)2227), Croatia (INFR(2025)2229), Cyprus (INFR(2025)2224), Latvia (INFR(2025)2232), Hungary (INFR(2025)2230), Malta (INFR(2025)2233), Austria (INFR(2025)2221), Romania (INFR(2025)2234), Slovakia (INFR(2025)2236), Finland (INFR(2025)2228) and Sweden (INFR(2025)2235). The Energy Charter Treaty organises trade and investment relations in the energy sector between its contracting parties. In accordance with the Treaties, trade and investment fall within the exclusive competence of the European Union, and Member States may exercise this competence only if the Union empowers them to do so. Following the withdrawal of the Union and Euratom from the Energy Charter Treaty, the Member States concerned have not received such empowerment, nor have they taken any steps to withdraw from the Treaty. The Commission now calls on the Member States concerned to withdraw from the Treaty without undue delay. These Member States have now two months to respond to the letters of formal notice. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Reasoned opinions and additional reasoned opinions

Commission urges France to fully transpose EU rules accelerating permitting procedures for renewable energy projects
Today, the European Commission decided to send an additional reasoned opinion to France (INFR(2024)0227) for failing to fully transpose into national law the provisions of the revised Renewable Energy Directive related to the simplification and acceleration of permitting procedures. The revised Directive (EU) 2023/2413 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 entered into force in November 2023 and certain provisions had to be transposed into national law by the Member States by 1 July 2024. These provisions include measures to simplify and accelerate permitting procedures both for renewable energy projects and the infrastructure projects which are necessary to integrate the additional capacity into the electricity system. They also include clear time limits for permit-granting procedures targeted to specific technologies or types of projects, the strengthening of the role of the single contact point for applications, and the presumption that renewable energy projects and the related grid infrastructure are of overriding public interest. In September 2024, the Commission sent letters of formal notice to 26 Member States for failing to fully transpose the Directive into national law. In February 2025, France received a reasoned opinion for failing to provide sufficiently clear and precise information on how the transposition measures implement each of the Directive's provisions. This was because France had not explained clearly and precisely the national measures it considered to transpose the different obligations imposed by the Directive. After examining the transposition measures and correlation table notified by France, the Commission concluded that France has not yet fully transposed the Directive. Therefore, the Commission has decided to issue an additional reasoned opinion to France, indicating which specific provisions are not considered transposed. France has now two months to respond and complete the transposition. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union with a request to impose financial sanctions.

Commission urges Bulgaria and Austria to comply with the Methane Regulation
Today, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Bulgaria (INFR(2025)2115) and Austria (INFR(2025)2116), for breaching the Methane Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 by failing to appoint a competent authority responsible for monitoring and enforcing the application of the rules and notify it to the Commission. The Methane Regulation tackles methane emissions in the crude oil, natural gas and coal sectors. It aims to improve measurement and reporting of methane emissions in the EU, to foster their abatement and to increase transparency in the EU and globally. It also incentivises the EU's international partners to measure, report and reduce their methane emissions. Member States had to notify to the Commission the names and contact details of their competent authorities by 5 February 2025. The Commission notes that Bulgaria and Austria have still not fulfilled this obligation. The Commission is therefore sending a reasoned opinion to the two Member States, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

  

6. Taxation

( For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66, Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Member States to fully implement the new tax transparency and information exchange rules on crypto-assets
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to 12 Member States - Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal for failing to fully transpose Directive (EU) 2023/2226. This Directive amends the Directive on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (Directive 2011/16/EU) to enable tax transparency and information exchange regarding crypto-assets and to enhance the information exchanges regarding financial accounts. The timely and full implementation of the rules of the Directive by all Member States is key to achieving greater tax transparency and combating tax avoidance and evasion in investment income. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal which now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Member States to fully implement the new information exchange rules on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to 10 Member States -  Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Sweden for failing to fully transpose Directive (EU) 2025/872, which amends the Directive on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (Directive 2011/16/EU). The Directive requires the Member States to fully implement the new information exchange rules on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Sweden which now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Reasoned opinions

Commission calls on Denmark and Slovakia to comply with their obligations to transmit customs data via the SURV3 system
Today, the European Commission decided to send reasoned opinions to Denmark (INFR(2025)2011) and Slovakia (INFR(2025)2058) for failing to fulfil their obligations to transmit customs data to the Commission through the SURV3 system, as required under Article 16(1) of the Union Customs Code (UCC) Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, Articles 55(1) and 56(1) and Annex 21-03 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447. Member States must transmit to the Commission, via SURV3, data extracted from their national systems on import and export declarations, covering 57 standardised data elements. This will ensure uniform application of the EU customs law, as well as help monitor trade flows, prevent fraud and support EU-level customs policy decisions. The Member States concerned transmit only a limited subset of these elements, and continue to use outdated formats, which affects the Commission's ability to monitor EU trade flows and ensure uniform application of customs rules. Despite the letters of formal notice sent between May, June and July 2025, the two Member States have not yet achieved full compliance, as evidenced by the data reported in SURV3. Therefore, the Commission has decided to issue reasoned opinions to Denmark and Slovakia, which now have two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer these cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Commission calls on Belgium to fully implement the Temporary Storage system for Air transport under the Union Customs Code
Today, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Belgium (INFR(2025)2016) for failing to fully implement the Temporary Storage system for Air transport as required by the the Union Customs Code (UCC) Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 read in conjunction with Article 2(2) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2879 and point II.13 of the Annex to that Decision. This system is a key component of the UCC's digital customs framework. Member States were required to make it fully operational by 31 December 2023. Despite an earlier letter of formal notice, Belgium has not yet deployed this system, nor has it provided a credible implementation plan. Therefore, the Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion to Belgium, 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.

 

7. Mobility and Transport

(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Annie Juusola – Tel.: +32 2 296 09 86)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Poland to correctly transpose EU rules on the certification of train drivers 
The European Commission has decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Poland (INFR(2025)2148) regarding its failure to correctly transpose the provisions of the Train Drivers Directive (Directive 2007/59/EC). The Directive sets out the certification requirements and procedures for train drivers operating locomotives and trains in the EU railway system. The Commission considers that Polish legislation contains requirements for obtaining train driver certificates that contradict the Directive. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Poland, which now has two months to respond and address the shortcoming raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Spain, France and Italy to comply with EU rules on port services
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Spain (INFR(2025)4021), France (INFR(2025)2180) and Italy (INFR(2025)2181) for failing to fulfil their obligations under Article 4(3) and (4) of the Port Services Regulation (Regulation 2017/352/EU). Those provisions allow Member States, under strict conditions of transparency, non-discrimination and proportionality, and with the objective of ensuring compliance with their social and labour law including rules on labour inspections, to impose a flag requirement for vessels providing towage or mooring operations in ports located on their territory. Spain, France, and Italy have imposed a requirement for vessels used for towage and mooring in their respective ports to fly their respective national flags. The Member States are concerned that national social laws do not apply if the tugboat does not have a national flag. However, as the Commission explains in the letter of formal notice, this is not correct, as the Port Services Regulation already empowers the Member States to enforce such national social and labour laws regardless of the flag of the vessel subject to an inspection. Should Member States nonetheless decide to impose a flag requirement, this needs to be defined as a flag of any EU Member State instead of a national flag of a particular Member State. A national flag requirement, as formulated by Spain, France and Italy is thus not in line with the EU obligations under Article 4(3) and (4) of the Port Services Regulation and the freedom of establishment set out in Article 49 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to Spain, France, and Italy, which have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Member States to transpose the amended Directive on intelligent transport systems
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland for failing to fully transpose into national law Directive (EU) 2023/2661, amending Directive (EU) 2010/40/EU on intelligent transport systems (ITS). The amended Directive aims to respond to the emergence of new road mobility options, mobility apps, and connected and automated mobility. Several new requirements were introduced on cooperative ITS (C-ITS) security, interim measures in case of emergency situations, mandatory cooperation between Member States and stakeholders, the availability of data and deployment of services, and the simplification of reporting for both the Directive and its delegated acts, including the definition of a common template and common key performance indicators. Two annexes were added, defining lists of datasets and services considered crucial for the deployment of ITS. The role of national access points in making data accessible was also acknowledged. To date, the 20 Member States mentioned above failed to notify the complete transposition of the amended ITS-Directive by the legal deadline of 21 December 2025. The Commission is therefore sending them letters of formal notice. The Member States will now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

 

8. Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union

(For more information: Siobhan McGarry – Tel.: +32 2 296 47 98; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Spain and Austria to correctly transpose the Mortgage Credit Directive
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Spain (INFR(2025)2196) and Austria (INFR(2025)2237) for incorrect transposition of the Mortgage Credit Directive (Directive 2014/17). The purpose of the Directive is to create an efficient and competitive single market for consumers, creditors, and credit intermediaries in the field of mortgage credit with a high level of consumer protection. Directive 2014/17 allows credit intermediaries authorised in one Member State to operate in other EU Member States, either cross-border or through a local branch. They can do so based on their authorisation in their home Member State, one month after the date on which they were informed by the competent home authorities and without any additional authorisation or registration by the host authorities. Directive 2014/17 also requires that the supervision is carried out by the home Member State, and thus limits supervision of credit intermediaries providing services by the host Member State. The Commission considers that Spain and Austria have not properly transposed these aspects of Directive 2014/17. The Directive also allows access for all creditors from all Member States to databases used in that Member State for assessing the creditworthiness of consumers. The Commission considers that Spain has not properly transposed this aspect of Directive 2014/17. Finally, the Directive provides specific rules for the remuneration of credit intermediaries' staff, including when credit intermediaries provide advisory services, to ensure that it does not prejudice their ability to act in the consumer's best interest. The Commission considers that Austria has not properly transposed this aspect of Directive 2014/17. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to Spain and Austria, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Hungary to comply with the Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCA)
The European Commission has decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Hungary (INFR(2025)2174) for failing to fully comply with Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) following the adoption of Act LXVII of 2025, amending the Hungarian Crypto Act (Act VII of 2024). MiCA is a key element of the EU's Digital Finance strategy, establishing a uniform and directly applicable framework to ensure legal certainty, consumer and investor protection, financial stability, and the smooth functioning of the single market for crypto-assets. The 2025 amendment of Hungarian law introduces a new authorisation regime for ‘exchange validation services' with criminal liability, which is not provided under MiCA. This has reportedly led some crypto-asset service providers to suspend or discontinue certain services, prejudicing clients and creating legal uncertainty. While Hungary aims to strengthen anti money laundering (AML/CFT) safeguards, such measures must remain compatible with MiCA. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Hungary, which now has two months to respond and address the Commission's concerns. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Referrals to the Court of Justice

Commission decides to refer Spain and Malta to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose the Delegated Directive as regards the adjustments of the size criteria for micro, small, medium-sized and large undertakings or groups   
Today, the European Commission decided to refer Spain (INFR(2025)0050) and Malta (INFR(2025)0077) to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose the Delegated Directive as regards the adjustments of the size criteria for micro, small, medium-sized and large undertakings or groups (Delegated Directive (EU) 2023/2775).  This Directive aims to update and adapt the criteria to determine the company's size in the Accounting Directive to the impact of inflation since 2013. This ensures that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are not being made subject to undue EU financial and sustainability reporting provisions applicable to larger companies and is key to further reducing administrative burden. Member States were required to fully transpose this Directive by 24 December 2024. To date, most EU Member States have declared complete transposition of the Directive. However, national implementing measures have still not been notified by Spain and Malta. The Commission sent letters of formal notice to these Member States on 31 January 2025 and subsequently sent reasoned opinions on 17 July 2025. The Commission considers that efforts by the national authorities of these Member States have, to date, been insufficient since they have still not notified the Commission of the full transposition of the Directive into their national laws. Therefore, the Commission has decided to refer these cases to the Court of Justice of the EU. More information is in the press release.

  

9. Digital economy

(For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99, Patricia Poropat – Tel.: + 32 2 298 04 85)

Letter of formal notice

Commission calls on Slovenia to comply with EU copyright rules
The European Commission decided to open infringement proceedings by sending a letter of formal notice to Slovenia (INFR(2025)4023) for failing to correctly apply the Directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the Information Society (Directive 2001/29/EC) and the Collective Rights Management Directive (Directive 2014/26/EU). EU copyright law provides for the exclusive rights of authors to authorise or prohibit the communication to the public of their works. It includes the choice for authors to exercise their rights individually or to entrust or transfer the management of all or part of them to a collective management organisation or to independent management entities. However, under the Slovenian law, authors have no choice but to leave the management of their right to a collective management organisation. This leads to a deprivation of author's exclusive rights and conflicts with the freedom of rightsholders to withdraw their rights from collective management, guaranteed by EU law. The mandatory collective management scheme provided under Slovenian law constitutes a limitation to the rights defined in the Directives. The Commission is therefore sending a letter of formal notice to Slovenia, which now has two months to reply to the arguments raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion to Slovenia.

 

10. Jobs and social rights

(For more information: Eva Hrncirova - Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Eirini Zarkadoula - Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65)

Letter of formal notice

Commission calls on Italy to negotiate in good faith an agreement with the European Central Bank on transfer of pension rights
Today, the Commission decided to open an infringement procedure against Italy (INFR(2025)4022) by sending a letter of formal notice for breaching the principle of sincere cooperation under EU law. The breach concerns Italy's shortfall to negotiate in good faith an agreement with the European Central Bank (ECB) on the transfer of pension rights of EU officials. An agreement between a Member State and an EU institution is needed to allow EU officials to transfer their national pension rights to the pension scheme of the EU institution. In the Commission's views, Italy has obstructed the negotiations of this agreement with the ECB and is therefore breaching the principle of sincere cooperation, laid down in Article 4(3) of the Treaty of the European Union (TEU). Italy now has two months to reply and take the necessary measures. In the absence of an adequate response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

Commission calls on Member States to fully transpose new rules improving protection of workers from asbestos
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to 10 Member States for failing to notify their measures fully transposing into national law Directive (EU) 2023/2668 on the protection of workers from asbestos. The transposition deadline was 21 December 2025. The Directive amends Directive 2009/148/EC by introducing lower occupational exposure limits and additional measures to reduce workers' risks from asbestos, a highly dangerous, cancer-causing substance. It is part of the Commission's comprehensive approach to better protect people and the environment from asbestos and ensure an asbestos-free future. Until now, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia failed to communicate to the Commission the respective measures fully transposing the new rules into national law. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to these Member States, which now have two months to respond, complete the transposition of the Directive at national level and notify their measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

 

11. Economic and Financial Affairs

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)

Commission calls on Member States to fully transpose requirements for budgetary frameworks of the Member States
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,  Czechia, Finland, France,  Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia for failing to fully transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1265. This Directive amended the Directive on requirements for budgetary frameworks of the Member States (Directive (EU) 2011/85/EU) to ensure compliance with obligations under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in the area of budgetary policy, notably as regards the avoidance of excessive government deficits. Building on the evidence of the implementation of Directive 2011/85, the amending Directive covers transparency, statistics, forecasts and medium-term budgeting to address weaknesses identified during the previous implementation. The Directive requires Member States to implement public accounting systems that generate accrual data needed for the European System of National and Regional accounts. It also requires them to make all relevant fiscal data public, establish independent fiscal institutions and consider the macrofiscal impacts of climate change in annual and multiannual budget plans, as far as possible. Full implementation contributes to stronger national fiscal frameworks, increased transparency and national ownership. Member States were required to transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1265 into national law by 31 December 2025. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the 15 Member States, which now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.

 

12. Agriculture and Rural Development

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)

Letters of formal notice

Commission calls on Member States to fully update rules on the composition, labelling and naming of honey, fruit juices, fruit jams and dehydrated milk
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to 11 Member States - Belgium, Czechia, Ireland, France, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia for failing to fully transpose Directive 2024/1438. This Directive amended the so-called ‘Breakfast directives' which set out common rules on the composition, sales names, labelling and presentation of honey (Directive 2001/110/EC), fruit juices (Directive 2001/112/EC), jams, jellies, marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée (Directive 2001/113/EC), and dehydrated milk (Directive 2001/114/EC). These rules aim to ensure their free movement within the internal market and help consumers make informed choices. This directive requires Member States, among other things, to change the rules on mandatory origin labelling for honey to introduce additional categories of fruit juices (reduced-sugar fruit juices) and to allow the label to state that ‘fruit juices contain only naturally occurring sugars. They also foresee the possibility to increase the mandatory fruit content in jams, to allow the term ‘marmalade' as a synonym of ‘jam', and to modernise the labelling of dehydrated milk. The full implementation of the rules on composition and labelling for some breakfast foods ensures their free movement within the internal market and help consumers make informed choices. Member States had to transpose Directive (EU) 2024/1438 into national law by 14 December 2025. While Czechia, Ireland and Poland have stated that their legislation only partially transposes the Directive, the other Member States mentioned have not notified any transposition measures. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to those Member States who have either not fully, or only partially transposed the Directive. They will have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.