Answer given by Mr Vella on behalf of the Commission

22.6.2018

Engineered landfills shall comply with the legal and technical requirements set out in Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste[1].

In accordance with Article 8 of that directive the competent authorities shall issue a permit for the operation of the landfill only when the landfill complies with such requirements. The strict application of the directive is a guarantee for the protection of human health and the environment.

Pursuant to Articles 12 and 13 of the directive, the operator of the landfill shall notify the competent authorities of any adverse environmental effects revealed by the applicable control and monitoring procedures. In turn, the competent authorities, by reasoned opinion, can determine the start of the closure procedure of a landfill when the case so warrants.

The national administrative authorities in Greece in charge of the implementation of the directive are primarily responsible to verify such specific situations and have the means to address the problem if the concerns are found justified.

National courts are competent to uphold actions by individuals seeking protection against national measures that are incompatible with EC law or financial compensation for the damage caused by the lack of measures.

• [1] OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1‐19.