Several EU Infringement Procedures Against Austria

The EU Commission announced on Thursday in Brussels that it is initiating four infringement procedures against Austria and other EU countries for failing to implement directives in the areas of electricity market, energy efficiency in buildings, social regulations in road transport, and food ingredients. The countries have two months to fully implement the directives. Otherwise, the Commission can issue a stricter warning.

Next Stage in the EU Infringement Procedure

The next stage in the infringement procedure would be a reasoned opinion. The Commission therefore urgently calls on the affected states today to take immediate action to align their laws with EU requirements.

Electricity Market and Boilers

The member states should have implemented the new regulations for the design of the electricity market by January 17, 2025, except for the provisions on the free choice of supplier and energy sharing, for which they have until July 17, 2026. The regulations were developed in response to the rise in energy prices and aim to make electricity prices more stable for consumers and less dependent on the price of fossil fuels.

The Commission calls on Austria and eight other member states to implement the agreed provisions for the gradual elimination of financial incentives for boilers powered by fossil fuels. The deadline for this was January 1, 2025. This falls under the revised directive on the overall energy efficiency of buildings. The revised directive came into force on May 28, 2024, and the general implementation deadline ends on May 29, 2026.

Road Transport and Food

Austria and 15 other EU countries have not fully implemented social regulations for activities in road transport. This regulation sets the common standards for road transport companies to provide road transport services within the EU.

Five member states - including Austria - have not fully implemented the EU regulation on 2-methyloxolane as an extraction solvent in the production of food and food ingredients, the Commission further criticizes. This should have been done by February 16, 2025. The aim of the directive is to include 2-methyloxolane in the Union list of approved extraction solvents that may be used in the production of food, food components, or food ingredients.

(APA/Red)

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