Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives

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The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify the Commission of measures they have adopted to transpose EU Directives into their national laws. The deadline to transpose these Directives has expired recently.  The Member States in question have failed to fully transpose EU directives. The Commission is urging them to take immediate action to bring their laws in line with EU requirements. 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.

Commission calls on Member States to transpose EU rules improving the Union’s electricity market design with regard to the free choice of supplier and the right to energy sharing
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden for failure to communicate the full transposition of the new electricity market design rules on free choice of supplier and right to energy sharing set out in Directive (EU) 2024/1711. Directive (EU)2024/1711 amends former Electricity Directives (Directives (EU) 2018/2001Directives (EU) 2018/2001 and (EU) 2019/944) with the aim of improving the Union’s electricity market design. Member States had to notify the transposition of the provisions on free choice of supplier (amended Article 4) and the right to energy sharing (new Article 15a) by 17 July 2026. These provisions intend to strengthen consumers’ position in the electricity market by expanding their ability to choose and switch suppliers, access more competitive and innovative offers, and participate more actively in the energy system. To date, 18 Member States have not yet notified full transposition of these provisions by the legal deadline. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to these Member States. They 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 transpose the rules on the hydrogen and decarbonised gas market
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden for failure to communicate the full transposition of the recast Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Directive (EU) 2024/1788. The Directive was adopted in 2024 as part of the EU’s hydrogen and decarbonised gas package, which also includes Regulation (EU) 2024/1789. The new Directive and Regulation update the rules on the EU natural gas market set out in the Gas Directive 2009/73/EC and the Gas Regulation 715/2009. They also introduce a regulatory framework for dedicated hydrogen infrastructure. The rules aim to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, while ensuring security of supply and affordability of energy for all EU citizens. Member States had to notify the transposition of the Directive to transpose the rules into national law by 5 August 2026. To date, only Italy has notified full transposition of the Directive by the legal deadline. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the remaining 26 Member States. They 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 implement certain provisions of the sixth Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Directive
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Finland for failing to fully notify national measures transposing certain provisions of the sixth Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1640). This would allow the Member Stateser to provide access to beneficial ownership registers for competent authorities, self-regulatory bodies, obliged entities and for persons with a legitimate interest.  The sixth AML Directive mainly deals with organisational and institutional issues of the anti-money laundering and countering the finance of terrorism preventive framework. Member States had to transpose a major part of the  Directive (EU) 2015/849, and in particular Articles 11, 12, 13 and 15, by 10 July 2026. The gradual implementation of the sixth AML Directive is essential to addressing weaknesses in the Union’s financial system and to ensuring that all Member States consistently and effectively apply their anti-money laundering rules.  Confidence of investors and the general public in financial markets depends largely on an accurate disclosure system that ensures transparency in the beneficial ownership and control structures of companies. Accurate and up-to-date information on beneficial owners is also crucial for law enforcement authorities. To date, 18 Member States have not declared full transposition of the aforementioned articles by the legal deadline. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to all Member States concerned, which now have two months to 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.

Commission calls on Member States to comply with rules on the safe use of cobalt in toys
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Croatia, Cyprus and Hungary for failing to comply with Directive (EU) 2026/192. The Directive amends certain provisions of Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, enabling the safe use of cobalt in toys. The use of cobalt in toys was subject to a general ban triggered by its classification as carcinogenic category 1B, mutagenic category 2 and toxic for reproduction category 1B under the Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008). The amending Directive introduced derogations to the general ban, taking into account the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER), for categories such as toy components intended to conduct electric current and toy components made of stainless steel and certain magnets. To date, three Member States have not communicated their national measures transposing the Directive to the Commission by the set deadline of 11 September 2026. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to all 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 revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden for failing to communicate the complete transposition of Directive 2024/1712 amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. The revision of the Anti-Trafficking Directive introduces stricter criminalisation and provides stronger tools for public authorities to investigate and prosecute new forms of exploitation, including those that take place online, and ensure better assistance and support to victims. Member States are now required to formalise a National Referral Mechanism, and to appoint a focal point for the cross-border referral of victims. They also need to nominate National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators, as well as adopt and regularly update National Anti-trafficking Action Plans. To date, 20 Member States have not communicated their national measures transposing the Directive to the Commission by the set deadline of 15 July 2026.  The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to all 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 inclusion of new psychoactive substances in the EU definition of “drug”
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a  letter of formal notice to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia for failing to communicate the complete transposition of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/2062. The Directive amends the Annex to Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA by adding three new psychoactive substances (2-MMC, NEP and 4-BMC) to the EU definition of a “drug”. This means that these substances will be covered by the EU rules on criminal offences and penalties for illicit drug trafficking, helping to harmonise national controls, strengthen cross-border law-enforcement and judicial cooperation. The nine Member States have not communicated their national measures transposing the Commission Delegated Directive to the Commission by the set deadline of 12 July 2026.  The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to all 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 new rights making the repair of goods easier
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden for failing to communicate the complete transposition of the Right to Repair Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1799). The Directive encourages sustainable consumption by making it easier to repair products instead of replacing them. It gives consumers the right to request repairs for products such as smartphones, washing machines or refrigerators, even after the legal guarantee has expired. Manufacturers must offer repairs at a reasonable price, within a reasonable timeframe, and provide clear information on their repair services. In doing so, the Directive helps consumers save money, reduce waste, extend the lifecycle of their products, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission has also decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden for failing to communicate the complete transposition of the Delegated Directive (EU) 2026/74 amending the Right to Repair Directive. The Delegated Directive extends the scope of the Right to Repair to include domestic indoor heaters, such as fireplaces, portable electric heaters, or floor heaters. Member States had until 31 July 2026 to transpose the Directive and the Delegated Directive into their national laws. To date, 18 Member States failed to notify complete transposition of the Directive to the Commission, and 18 Member States failed to notify complete transposition of the Delegated Directive. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the Member States concerned, 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 all Member States to fully transpose new rules to address pollution from industrial installations
The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden for failing to notify measures fully transposing the Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive (as amended by Directive (EU) 2024/1785). Industrial activities play an essential role in the EU’s economy, but they can also be a significant source of pollution while generating waste and consuming large amounts of energy. This is why, since 2010, the former Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) has been addressing the environmental and human health effects of over 50,000 industrial installations by requiring the use of best available techniques and compliance with emission level ranges. The updated Directive on industrial and livestock rearing emissions increases this ambition by promoting innovation and transformation through the most effective viable emissions reduction techniques. In particular, it tightens rules on reducing emissions, aims to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and extends the scope of the former IED. Additionally, it strengthens the rights of the public and creates a new right to seek compensation for damage to health caused by illegal pollution. Member States had until 1 July 2026 to transpose the updated Directive. To date, all Member States have failed to communicate the complete transposition of the updated Directive to the Commission by the deadline. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to all Member States, 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.