Filenews 17 November 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The full harmonization and compliance of the Republic of Cyprus with five European Directives has led to the implementation of the relevant suggestions recorded in letters of formal notice from the European Commission and the filing of the corresponding procedures for violation of the acquis communautaire on waste management, as well as the assessment and management of flood risks.
With the harmonization of the Republic of Cyprus with the Directives on waste management, a significant revision of the legislative framework has been achieved, focusing on the promotion of effective waste management, the reduction of landfilling and its negative impacts, as well as the reuse and recycling of materials, in order to facilitate the transition to a circular economy.
The revised national legal framework has set ambitious targets for the separate collection and rational management of waste and the recycling of packaging waste by 2035. Specifically, the European targets for preparation for re-use and recycling of all municipal waste are adopted at rates of 55% by 2025 (currently 50% of recyclables), 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035, as well as the target of 65% (currently 55%) for packaging waste.
It also provides for the gradual reduction of municipal waste landfilling to 10% by 2035 (currently 35% of 1995 levels) and the separate collection obligations, except for recyclable waste streams currently collected separately, to organic waste by 2023, and textiles and hazardous household waste are extended to 2025. In addition, new provisions are introduced concerning the adoption of effective measures for the implementation of the waste hierarchy and the reduction of waste generation, and the minimum requirements that should be met by extended producer responsibility schemes are defined.
Also, with the completion of the obligations under Articles 14 and 15 of Directive 2007/60/EC of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks, the European Commission has closed the case that had been opened against the Republic of Cyprus. In particular, it has approved the flood risk assessment and management based on the study of the review and update of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the relevant information, reports and maps, which have been made available to the European Commission as required data for compliance with the provisions of Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks.
Habitats, wildlife and pollutants
However, as shown by the European Union's online register of infringement proceedings, while five infringement cases were closed, the European Commission launched three new infringement proceedings:
On 9 June 2021, when infringement case 2020/2270 was filed, which concerned the incorrect application of Articles 14 and 15 of Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks, the European Union opened two new infringement procedures against the Republic of Cyprus, through the transmission of corresponding letters of formal notice, which concern the incorrect application of Council Directive 92/43/EEC, on the one hand, of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and, on the other hand, of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.
On 23 September 2021, when the four cases of infringement of the respective Directives on waste management were filed, the European Union opened a new infringement procedure against the Republic of Cyprus, through the transmission of a letter of formal notice, concerning the non-harmonisation of its legislation with Directive (EU) 2015/2193 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015, to limit emissions of certain pollutants into the atmosphere from medium combustion plants.
