Commission decides to refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union over failure to close and rehabilitate landfills 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the European Commission decided to refer Romania 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 Directive requires Member States to take the necessary measures to close and rehabilitate landfills that have not been granted a permit or failed to meet the operational conditions set out by law. These obligations are key to preventing long-term risks to human health and the environment caused by uncontrolled waste disposal and landfilling of untreated waste.

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.

Background

The Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/850) sets standards for landfills to prevent adverse effects on human health, water, soil and air. It aims to ensure a progressive reduction of landfilling of waste, in particular waste that is suitable for recycling and other recovery.

It also aims to prevent or reduce as far as possible the negative effects on the environment from landfilling of waste, throughout the whole life-cycle of the landfill site. 

For More Information

EU infringement procedure  

Infringement decisions database and infringements map and graphs   

January 2026 Infringement cycle

Infringement procedure Romania (INFR(2020)2276)

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