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Brussels, 12.10.2010

Brussel 12.10.2010

COM(2010) 581 final

KUMM(2010) 581 finali

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

RAPPORT MILL-KUMMISSJONI LILL-KUNSILL, LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW, LILL-KUMITAT EKONOMIKU U SOĊJALI EWROPEW U LILL-KUMITAT TAR-REĠJUNI

Under Article 14(2) of Directive 2004/35/CE on the environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remed ying of environmental damage

Skont l-Artikolu 14(2) tad-Direttiva 2004/35/KE dwar ir-responsabbiltà ambjentali f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-prevenzjoni [ta'] u r-rimedju għal danni [ħsara] ambjentali

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

RAPPORT MILL-KUMMISSJONI LILL-KUNSILL, LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW, LILL-KUMITAT EKONOMIKU U SOĊJALI EWROPEW U LILL-KUMITAT TAR-REĠJUNI

Under Article 14(2) of Directive 2004/35/CE on the environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remed ying of environmental damage

Skont l-Artikolu 14(2) tad-Direttiva 2004/35/KE dwar ir-responsabbiltà ambjentali f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-prevenzjoni [ta'] u r-rimedju għal danni [ħsara] ambjentali

1. INTRODUCTION

1. INTRODUZZJONI

This report is based on Article 14(2) of Directive 2004/35/CE on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage[1] (referred to below as ‘ELD’ or ‘the Directive’). The report assesses the effectiveness of the Directive in terms of actual remediation of environmental damage and the availability at reasonable costs of, and conditions for, financial security for the activities listed in its Annex III.

Dan ir-rapport huwa bbażat fuq l- Artikolu 14(2) tad-Direttiva 2004/35/KE dwar ir-responsabbiltà ambjentali f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-prevenzjoni [ta'] u r-rimedju għal danni [ħsara] ambjentali[1] (minn hawn ’il quddiem id-‘DRA’ jew ‘id-Direttiva’). Ir-rapport jivvaluta l-effettività tad-Direttiva f ’ termini tar-rimedju reali għall-ħsara ambjentali u d-disponibbiltà bi kostijiet raġonevoli, u l-kondizzjonijiet għal, sigurtà finanzjarja fir-rigward tal-attivitajiet elenkati fl-Anness III tagħha.

Novel features of the Environmental Liability Directive

Il-karatteristiċi innovattivi tad-Direttiva dwar ir-Responsabbiltà Ambjentali

The main objective of ELD is to prevent and remedy ‘ environmental damage ’. This is defined as damage to protected species and natural habitats (nature) , damage to water and damage to land (soil) . The liable party is in principle the ‘ operator’ who carries out occupational activities. Operators who carry out certain dangerous activities, as listed in Annex III of the ELD, are strictly liable (without fault) for environmental damage. Operators carrying out other occupational activities are liable for any fault-based damage they cause to nature. Operators may benefit directly from certain exceptions and defences (for example force majeure , armed conflict, third party intervention) and defences introduced via transposition (for example permit defence, state of the art defence).

L-għan principali tad-Direttiva dwar ir-Responsabbiltà Ambjentali huwa li tevita u toffri rimedju għal ‘ danni [ħsara] ambjentali ’. Dan huwa definit bħala danni [ħsara] lill- ispeċijiet protetti u lill-ambjenti [ħabitats] naturali (natura) , danni [ħsara] lill- ilma u danni [ħsara] lill- art (ħamrija) . Il-parti responsabbli fil-prinċipju hija l-‘ operatur ’ li jwettaq attivitajiet tax-xogħol. Operaturi li jwettqu ċerti attivitajiet ta’ periklu, kif elenkati fl-Anness III għad-DRA, għandhom responsabbiltà assoluta (mingħajr tort/mhux kolpevolment) għad-danni [ħsara] ambjentali. Operaturi li jwettqu attivitajiet tax-xogħol oħra huma responsabbli għal kwalunkwe ħsara lin-natura kkawżata minħabba xi nuqqas min-naħa tagħhom [kolpevolment]. Operaturi jistgħu jibbenefikaw direttament minn ċerti eċċezzjonijiet u difiżi (pereżempju force majeure , kunflitt bl-armi, intervent ta’ terzi persuni) u difiżi li ddaħħlu permezz tat-traspożizzjoni (pereżempju difiża minħabba awtorizzazzjoni uffiċjali [permit defence], difiża skont il-konformità mal-ogħla livell ta' konoxxenza teknoloġika u xjentifika ta’ dak iż-żmien [state of the art defence]).

Operators have to take preventive action if there is an imminent threat of environmental damage. They are likewise under an obligation to remedy environmental damage once it has occurred and to bear the costs (‘ polluter pays ’). In specific cases where the operators fail to do so, or are not identifiable, or have invoked defences, the competent authority may step in and carry out the necessary preventive or remedial measures.

L-operaturi għandhom jieħdu azzjoni preventiva fil-każ li jkun hemm theddida imminenti ta’ ħsara ambjentali. Bl-istess mod għandhom l-obbligu li jirrimedjaw id-danni ambjentali ladarba tkun saret il-ħsara u li jagħmlu tajjeb għall-ispejjeż (‘ min iniġġes iħallas ’). F’każjiet speċifiċi fejn l-operaturi jonqsu milli jagħmlu hekk, jew fejn ma jkunux identifikabbli, jew fejn ikunu użaw difiżi, l-awtorità kompetenti tista’ tintervjeni u twettaq il-miżuri preventivi jew ta' rimedju meħtieġa.

The report does this, firstly, by looking at the transposition and implementation of the Directive to examine how it has been applied in practice[2],[3]. The Commission worked with the government experts group on the ELD on transposition and national implementation. Business and financial security providers, i.e. insurers, brokers, banks and financial institutions, as well as NGOs were also consulted.

Dan ir-rapport, l-ewwel nett jeżamina t-traspożizzjoni u l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva biex jiġi analizzat kif ġew applikati fil-prattika[2],[3]. Il-Kummissjoni ħadmet fuq it traspożizzjoni u l-implimentazzjoni nazzjonali mal-grupp tal-esperti tal-gvern dwar id-DRA. Ġew ikkonsultati fornituri tas-servizzi kummerċjali u tas-sigurtà finanzjarja, jiġifieri entitajiet tal-assigurazzjoni, brokers, banek u istituzzjonijiet finanzjarji, kif ukoll NGOs.

Secondly, it looks at the issue of financial security . To do this, the response of the financial sector was analysed and alternative options for financial security were assessed, based on information provided by the insurance and re-insurance industry on available ELD insurance products and coverage in the EU market. Reports on the ELD by the Confederation of European Insurers (CEA)[4] and information on how operators and industry have responded to the Directive[5] were also taken into account. Three aspects covered in particular are: the use of a gradual approach allowing Member States to gradually phase in mandatory financial security, starting with riskier activities and operators and with damage to soil and water; setting ceilings for financial guarantees; excluding low-risk activities.

It-tieni nett, jagħti ħarsa lejn il-kwistjoni tas- sigurtà finanzjarja . Għal dan il-għan, ġiet analizzata r-reazzjoni tas-settur finanzjarju u ġew ivvalutati l-alternattivi għas-sigurtà finanzjarja, abbażi tal-informazzjoni mogħtija mill-industrija tal-assigurazzjoni u tar-riassigurazzjoni dwar il-prodotti tal-assigurazzjoni u l-kopertura DRA disponibbli fis-suq tal-UE. Tqiesu wkoll rapporti dwar id-DRA mill-Konfederazzjoni tal-Assiguraturi Ewropej (CEA - Confederation of European Insurers)[4] u informazzjoni dwar kif operaturi u l-industrija rreaġixxew għad-Direttiva[5] . It-tliet aspetti li kienu ttrattati b’mod partikolari huma: l-użu ta’ approċċ gradwali li jippermetti lill-Istati Membri sabiex bil-mod u f’fażijiet idaħħlu sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja, billi jibdew bl-attivitajiet u l-operaturi li huma l-aktar ta’ riskju u bil-ħsara lill-ħamrija u lill-ilma. l-iffissar ta’ limiti għal garanziji finanzjarji; u l-esklużjoni ta’ attivitajiet b’riskju baxx.

2. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DIRECTIVE IN REMEDYING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

2. L-EFFETTIVITÀ TAD-DIRETTIVA FIR-RIMEDJAR TAL-ħSARA AMBJENTALI

To examine the effectiveness of the ELD in environmental damage, its transposition into national law and its implementation were assessed.

L-analiżi tal-effettività tad-DRA għall-ħsara ambjentali saret permezz tal-valutazzjoni tat-traspożizzjoni fil-liġijiet nazzjonali u tal-implimentazzjoni tagħha.

2.1 Transposition process

2.1 Il-proċess tat-traspożizzjoni

The Directive entered into force on 30 April 2004. Only four Member States[6] met the transposition deadline of 30 April 2007. The transposition of the Directive remained slow thereafter, so that the Commission had to start infringement procedures against 23 Member States. During this procedure, the number of non-compliant countries was reduced, but the Commission still had to refer a number to the European Court of Justice, which gave judgment against seven Member States in 2008 and 2009[7].

Id-Direttiva daħlet fis-seħħ fit-30 ta’ April 2004. Erba’ Stati Membri biss[6] irrispettaw id-data tal-iskadenza għat-traspożizzjoni tat-30 ta’ April 2007. Minn dak iż-żmien ’il hawn it-traspożizzjoni tad-Direttiva baqgħet issir bil-mod , u minħabba dan il-Kummissjoni kellha tibda bil-proċedimenti ta’ ksur kontra 23 Stat Membru. Matul din il-proċedura, l-għadd ta’ pajjiżi li ma kinux konformi naqas, iżda l-Kummissjoni xorta waħda kellha tirreferi għadd minnhom lill-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja tal-Unjoni Ewropea, li fl-2008 u fl-2009 qatgħet is-sentenza tagħha kontra seba’ Stati Membri[7].

The main reasons for the transposition delays were:

Ir-raġunijiet prinċipali għad-dewmien fit-traspożizzjoni kienu:

1. Existing legal frameworks — Member States that already had advanced liability rules on environmental issues had to fit the new legislation into these existing legal frameworks.

1. L-oqfsa legali eżistenti — L-Istati Membri li diġà kellhom regoli avvanzati dwar ir-responsabbiltà fir-rigward ta’ kwistjonijiet ambjentali kellhom jadattaw il-leġiżlazzjoni l-ġdida skont dawn l-oqfsa legali eżistenti.

2. Challenging technical requirements such as the need for economic valuation of environmental damage, the different types of remediation, and damage to protected species and natural habitats, which were novelties to most Member States.

2. Rekwiżiti tekniċi ta ’ sfida bħall-ħtieġa għall-valutazzjoni ekonomika tal-ħsara ambjentali, it-tipi differenti ta’ rimedju, u l-ħsara lill-ispeċijiet protetti u lill-ħabitats naturali, li kienu innovazzjonijiet għal ħafna mill-Istati Membri.

3. The framework character of the ELD, which leaves a wide margin of discretion to the Member States, with options that can only be decided upon during transposition; this led to delays, as the range of options needed to be debated at national level.

3. Il- karattru ta' qafas tad-DRA, li jħalli lill-Istati Membri b'marġni wiesa’ ta’ diskrezzjoni, b’alternattivi li jistgħu jiġu deċiżi biss matul it-traspożizzjoni; dan wassal għal dewmien, għaliex kien jirrikjedi li jkun hemm diskussjoni dwar firxa sħiħa ta’ alternattivi fil-livell nazzjonali.

2.2 Implementation features

2.2 Karatteristiċi tal-implimentazzjoni

The framework character of the Directive resulted in a broad divergence on several key implementing provisions amongst the Member States:

Il-karattru ta' qafas tad-Direttiva rriżulta f’ diverġenza wiesgħa fost l-Istati Membri fir-rigward ta’ bosta dispożizzjonijiet ewlenin ta’ implimentazzjoni.

- The optional extension of the EU scope of ‘damage to protected species and natural habitats’ pursuant to the Birds[8] and Habitats[9] Directives (Article 2(3) ELD). Fourteen Member States decided to do so and included species and habitats protected under national or regional protection schemes in all or part of their jurisdiction (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and UK).

- L- estensjoni fuq bażi volontarja tal-ambitu tal-UE ta ’ ‘ danni [ħsara] lill-ispeċijiet protetti u ambjenti [ħabitats] naturali ’ skont id-Direttivi dwar l-Għasafar [8] u l-Ħabitats[9] (l-Artikolu 2(3) tad-DRA). Erbatax-il Stat Membru ddeċidew li jikkonformaw u inkludew speċijiet u ħabitats protetti skont l-iskemi tal-protezzjoni nazzjonali jew reġjonali fil-ġuriżdizzjonijiet kollha tagħhom jew f'parti minnhom (l-Awstrija, il-Belġju, Ċipru, ir-Repubblika Ċeka, l-Estonja, il-Greċja, l-Ungerija, il-Latvja, il-Litwanja, il-Polonja, il-Portugall, Spanja, l-Isvezja u r-Renju Unit).

- Another key definition, that of ‘operator’ , was extended by all but one of the Member States, with some opting to give this definition a particularly broad scope (Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden).

- Definizzjoni ewlenija oħra, dik ta’ ‘ operatur ’, ġiet estiża min-naħa tal-Istati Membri kollha barra wieħed, u wħud għażlu li jagħtu ambitu partikolarment wiesa’ lil din id-definizzjoni (l-Estonja, il-Finlandja, l-Ungerija, il-Litwanja, il-Polonja u l-Isvezja).

- The ELD grants Member States a choice as to whether they want to provide a ‘ permit defence’ and/or a ‘ state of the art defence’ that may be invoked by operators. Fewer than half decided to allow both defences: Belgium (at regional level), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia (except GMOs), Greece, Italy, Latvia (except GMOs), Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, UK (except GMOs in Scotland, Wales). Equally, fewer than half decided not to make use of them: Austria, Belgium (at federal level), Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands (applicable only after check of reason), Poland, Romania and Slovenia. Denmark, Finland and Lithuania decided to allow the ‘ permit defence’ but not the ‘ state of the art defence’ , while France allowed the ‘ state of the art defence’ but not the ‘ permit defence’ . Sweden took a middle position, admitting permit and state of the art defences as mitigating factors in the decision process.

- Id-DRA tagħti lill-Istati Membri l-għażla dwar jekk iridux jipprovdu ‘ difiża minħabba awtorizzazzjoni uffiċjali ’ u/jew ‘ difiża skont il-konformità mal-ogħla livell ta' konoxxenza teknoloġika u xjentifika ta ’ dak iż-żmien ’ li jistgħu jiġu invokati mill-operaturi. Anqas minn nofshom iddeċidew li jħallu ż-żewġ difiżi: il-Belġju (fil-livell reġjonali), Ċipru, ir-Repubblika Ċeka, l-Estonja (għajr għall-Organiżmi Modifikati Ġenetikament, OMĠ), il-Greċja, l-Italja, il-Latvja (għajr għall-OMĠ), Malta, il-Portugall, is-Slovakkja, Spanja, ir-Renju Unit (għajr għall-OMĠ fl-Iskozja u f’Wales). Bl-istess mod, anqas minn nofshom iddeċidew li ma jagħmlux użu minnhom: l-Awstrija, il-Belġju (fil-livell federali), il-Bulgarija, il-Ġermanja, l-Ungerija, l-Irlanda, il-Pajjiżi l-Baxxi (applikabbli biss wara analiżi tar-raġuni), il-Polonja, ir-Rumanija u s-Slovenja. id-Danimarka, il-Finlandja u l-Litwanja ddeċidew li jippermettu d-‘ difiża minħabba awtorizzazzjoni uffiċjali ’ iżda mhux id-‘ difiża skont il-konformità mal-ogħla livell ta' konoxxenza teknoloġika u xjentifika ta ’ dak iż-żmien ’, filwaqt li Franza ppermettiet id-‘ difiża skont il-konformità mal-ogħla livell ta' konoxxenza teknoloġika u xjentifika ta ’ dak iż-żmien ’ iżda mhux id-‘ difiża minħabba awtorizzazzjoni uffiċjali ’. L-Isvezja ħadet it-triq tan-nofs, billi aċċettat id-difiża minħabba awtorizzazzjoni uffiċjali u dik skont il-konformità mal-ogħla livell ta' konoxxenza teknoloġika u xjentifika ta’ dak iż-żmien bħala fatturi li jnaqqsu mill-gravità fil-proċess tad-deċiżjoni.

- For the scope of activities covered by strict liability, several Member States exempted the spreading of sewage sludge from waste management operations (Bulgaria, France, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and UK). A number of Member States included further activities not mentioned in Annex III in the scope of strict liability (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands and Sweden).

- Għall-ambitu tal-attivitajiet koperti bir-responsabbiltà assoluta, bosta Stati Membri eżentaw it-tifrix ta ’ kulma jġorr id-dranaġġ [it-tixrid tal-ħama tad-dranaġġ] mill-operazzonijiet tal-ġestjoni tal-iskart (il-Bulgarija, Franza, il-Latvja, Malta, il-Portugall, ir-Rumanija, is-Slovakkja, is-Slovenja u r-Renju Unit). Għadd ta’ Stati Membri inkludew aktar attivitajiet li mhumiex imsemmija fl-Anness III fl- ambitu ta ’ responsabbiltà assoluta (il-Belgju, id-Danimarka, il-Finlandja, il-Greċja, l-Ungerija, il-Latvja, il-Litwanja, il-Pajjiżi l-Baxxi u l-Isvezja).

- For rules on multi-party causation , most Member States opted for a system of joint and several liability, whilst a minority chose proportionate liability (Denmark, Finland France, Slovakia and Slovenia).

- Għar-regoli dwar ħsara kkawżata minn ħafna partijiet ( multi-party causation ) , il-biċċa l-kbira tal-Istati Membri għażlu sistema ta’ responsabbiltà in solidum , filwaqt li minoranza minnhom għażlu responsabbiltà proporzjonata (id-Danimarka, il-Finlandja, Franza, is-Slovakkja u s-Slovenja).

- Finally, the ELD leaves Member States to decide whether to introduce a system of mandatory financial security at national level. Eight Member States have introduced mandatory financial security entering into force at different dates up to 2014: Bulgaria, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Romania. These systems are subject to risk assessment of relevant sectors and operators, and dependent on various national implementing provisions providing for issues such as ceilings, exemptions, etc. However, mandatory financial security is delayed in all three countries where it was supposed to come into effect in 2010 (Portugal, Spain, Greece) because essential provisions are not yet in place. The remaining Member States rely on voluntary financial security.

- Fl-aħħar nett, id-DRA tippermetti lill-Istati Membri jiddeċiedu dwar jekk jintroduċux sistema ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja fil-livell nazzjonali. Tmien Stati Membri introduċew is-sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja li tidħol fis-seħħ f’dati differenti sal-2014: il-Bulgarija, il-Portugall, Spanja, il-Greċja, l-Ungerija, is-Slovakkja, ir-Repubblika Ċeka u r-Rumanija. Dawn is-sistemi huma soġġetti għal valutazzjoni tar-riskju tas-setturi u l-operaturi rilevanti, u jiddependu fuq diversi dispożizzjonijiet nazzjonali ta’ implimentazzjoni li jistipulaw kwistjonijiet bħal limiti, eżenzjonijiet, eċċ. Madankollu, is-sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja qed tesperjenza dewmien fit-tliet pajjiżi kollha fejn kellha tidħol fis-seħħ fl-2010 (fil-Portugall, fi Spanja u fil-Greċja) għaliex id-dispożizzjonijiet essenzjali għadhom mhumiex stabbiliti. Il-bqija tal-Istati Membri jiddependu fuq is-sigurtà finanzjarja fuq bażi volontarja.

2.3 Limited implementation of ELD

2.3 Implimentazzjoni limitata tad-DRA

The slow transposition of the Directive has resulted in a limited number of cases being treated by the competent authorities. The Commission with the support of the network of ELD government experts[10] identified 16 cases treated under the ELD at the beginning of 2010, and estimates that the total number of ELD cases across the EU may now be around 50.

It-traspożizzjoni fit-tul tad-Direttiva kellha l-konsegwenza li l-awtoritajiet kompetenti ttrattaw għadd limitat ta’ każijiet. Il-Kummissjoni bl-appoġġ tan-netwerk tal-esperti tal-gvern dwar id-DRA [10] identifikaw 16-il każ li ġew ittrattati skont id-DRA fil-bidu tal-2010, u stmat li l-għadd totali tal-każijiet DRA madwar l-UE issa jista’ jkun madwar 50.

The most important obstacle to an examination of the effectiveness of the ELD is the fact that not much is known about the characteristics of these cases. Nevertheless:

L-akbar ostaklu biex tiġi analizzata l-effettività tad-DRA huwa l-fatt li ftit li xejn huwa magħruf dwar il-karatteristiċi ta’ dawn il-każijiet. Madankollu:

- most cases relate to damage to water and land and only a limited number to protected species and natural habitats. This finding does not apply evenly to all Member States

- il-biċċa l-kbira tal-każijiet għandhom x’jaqsmu mal-ħsara lill- ilma u lill- art u għadd limitat biss mal-ispeċijiet protetti u l-ħabitats naturali. Dan ma japplikax għall-Istati Membri kollha bl-istess mod

- in most cases primary remediation measures were applied immediately (excavation and soil replacement as well as clean-up of water, aiming to restore the site’s baseline condition). However, none of the cases reported included information about the other two types of remediation ( complementary and compensatory )

- fil-biċċa l-kbira tal-każijiet ġew applikati immedjatament miżuri ta’ rimedju primarju (l-iskavar u s-sostituzzjoni tal-ħamrija kif ukoll it-tindif tal-ilma, bil-għan li s-sit jirritorna għall-kondizzjoni tal-bażi [kondizzjoni bażi/baseline condition]. Madankollu, f'ebda wieħed mill-każijiet irrappurtati ma kien hemm informazzjoni dwar iż-żewġ tipi l-oħra ta’ rimedju ( komplementari u li jikkumpensa )

- the total costs of remedial measures, when known, range between € 12 000 and € 250 000

- il-kostijiet totali tal-miżuri ta’ rimedju, meta jkunu magħrufa, għandhom jammontaw bejn EUR 12 000 u EUR 250 000

- the duration of environmental recovery varies considerably and is within the range of one week to three years for the cases reported

- it-tul ta’ żmien li jieħu l-irkupru ambjentali jvarja b’mod konsiderevoli u jieħu bejn ġimgħa u tliet snin għall-każijiet irrappurtati.

- the activities involved were almost exclusively listed in Annex III of the ELD, falling mainly under the IPPC Directive[11], as well as waste management operations, and the manufacture, use and storage of dangerous substances, preparations and related products.

- l-attivitajiet involuti kienu kważi esklussivament elenkati fl-Anness III għad-DRA, billi jaqgħu l-aktar taħt id-Direttiva IPPC [Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control][11], flimkien ma’ operazzjonijiet tal-ġestjoni tal-iskart, u l-manifattura, l-użu u l-ħżin ta’ sustanzi perikolużi, preparazzjonijiet u prodotti relatati.

Remediation of environmental damage under the ELD

Rimedju tal-ħsara ambjentali taħt id-DRA

Environmental damage may be remedied in different ways depending on the type of damage:

Jista’ jkun hemm rimedju għall-ħsara ambjentali f’modi differenti skont it-tip ta’ ħsara:

- For damage affecting land, the Directive requires that the land concerned be decontaminated until there is no longer any serious risk of negative impact on human health;

- Għall-ħsara li taffettwa l-art, id-Direttiva tesiġi li l-art konċernata tkun dekontaminata sakemm ma jkun baqa' l-ebda riskju serju ta’ impatt negattiv fuq is-saħħa tal-bniedem;

- For damage affecting water or protected species and natural habitats, the Directive aims to restore the environment to how it was before the damage had the damage not occurred. Remedying of environmental damage in relation to water or protected species or natural habitats is achieved through the restoration of the environment to its baseline condition by way of primary , complementary and compensatory remediation. The damaged natural resources or impaired services must be restored or replaced by identical, similar or equivalent natural resources or services either at the site of the incident or, if necessary, at an alternative site. Annex II of the Directive includes definitions of the distinct types of remediation applicable to water and nature damage, as well as information on the measures that have to be taken into account in order to remedy the damage. Remedying interventions need to take place on the damaged site itself or by creating similar resources in nearby areas.

- Għall-ħsara li taffettwa l-ilma jew l-ispeċijiet protetti u l-ħabitats naturali, id-Direttiva għandha bħala mira r-restituzzjoni tal-ambjent għal kif kien qabel ma seħħet il-ħsara u li kieku ma saritx il-ħsara. Ir-rimedjar tal-ħsara ambjentali, f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-ilma jew ma' speċijiet protetti jew ħabitats naturali, jintlaħaq permezz tar-restituzzjoni tal-ambjent għall-kondizzjoni bażi permezz ta’ rimedju primarju , komplementari u li jikkumpensa . Ir-riżorsi naturali li saritilhom il-ħsara jew is-servizzi affettwati ħażin għandhom jitreġġgħu lura għal li kienu jew jiġu sostitwiti minn riżorsi naturali jew servizzi identiċi, simili jew ekwivalenti jew fis-sit tal-inċident inkella, fil-każ li jirriżulta neċessarju, f'sit alternattiv. L-Anness II għad-Direttiva jinkludi definizzjonijiet tat-tipi differenti ta’ rimedju applikabbli għall-ħsara lill-ilma u lin-natura, kif ukoll informazzjoni dwar il-miżuri li għandhom jitqiesu sabiex tiġi rrimedjata l-ħsara. Jeħtieġ li interventi ta’ rimedju jsiru fis-sit innifsu jew inkella billi jinħolqu riżorsi simili f’żoni fil-qrib.

The competent authorities judged that the most difficult issues were the complex technical requirements linked to the economic evaluation of damaged resources/services and environmental remediation methods , as well as the lack of binding thresholds for key terms such as ‘ significant damage’ . However, Member States have started to develop guidelines and are building up their knowledge base on these questions (see Section 3).

L-awtoritajiet kompetenti qiesu li l- kwistjonijiet l-aktar diffiċli kienu r-rekwiżiti tekniċi kumplessi marbuta mal- evalwazzjoni ekonomika tar-riżorsi/is-servizzi li saritilhom il-ħsara u l- metodi tar-rimedju ambjentali , kif ukoll in-nuqqas ta’ limiti vinkolanti għal termini ewlenin bħal ‘ danni sinifikattivi ’ [ħsara sinifikanti] . Madankollu, l-Istati Membri bdew jiżviluppaw linji gwida u qed jibnu l-bażi tal-għarfien tagħhom fuq dawn il-mistoqsijiet (ara t-Taqsima 3).

Reasons for the relatively low number of ELD cases could include limited knowledge by operators. But it may also reflect the preventive effect that the ELD is already having. Another reason for the limited experience may be that some Member States maintained their existing laws for soil or water remediation which included more stringent measures than the ELD. Finally, the exceptions and defences of the ELD including insolvency and non-identification of the responsible operators may have led to fewer ELD cases.

Ir-raġunijiet għall- għadd relattivament baxx tal-każijiet DRA jistgħu jinkludu l-għarfien limitat tal-operaturi. Iżda dan jista’ jirrifletti wkoll l- effett preventiv li d-DRA diġà qed ikollha. Raġuni oħra għall-esperjenza limitata tista’ tkun li ċerti Stati Membri żammew il- liġijiet eżistenti tagħhom dwar ir-rimedju tal-ħamrija jew tal-ilma li kienu jinkludu miżuri aktar stretti minn tad-DRA. Fl-aħħar nett, l-eċċezzjonijiet u d-difiżi tad-DRA li jinkludu l-falliment u n-nuqqas ta’ identifikazzjoni tal-operaturi responsabbli setgħu wasslu għal anqas każijiet DRA.

Thus there is insufficient data to draw reliable conclusions on the effectiveness of the Directive in terms of actual remediation of environmental damage . However, this report has increased awareness among stakeholders and increased information flows between them, and will help Member States prepare their own reports to the Commission, due by April 2013.

Għaldaqstant hemm nuqqas ta ’ dejta suffiċjenti sabiex jintlaħqu konklużjonijiet affidabbli dwar l-effettività tad-Direttiva f ’ termini tar-rimedju attwali tal-ħsara ambjentali . Madankollu, dan ir-rapport żied l-għarfien fost il-partijiet involuti u żied il-flussi tal-informazzjoni bejniethom, u se jgħin lill-Istati Membri biex iħejju r-rapporti tagħhom stess, li għandhom jippreżentaw lill-Kummissjoni sa April 2013.

3. THE FUNCTIONALITY OF NATIONAL ELD SYSTEMS

3. IL-FUNZJONALITÀ TAS-SISTEMI NAZZJONALI TAD-DRA

The degree of Member States’ preparedness to deal with environmental damage under the Directive varies. Some Member States are quite advanced in terms of guidelines on technical and economic valuation (Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, and UK), procedures and manuals for risk assessment (Spain, Portugal, Italy) and legislative guidelines (Spain, Hungary, Czech Republic, Latvia and Poland). Specialised financial security systems (such as insurance pools in France, Spain and Italy) offer appropriate ELD insurance products.

L -istadju li fih jinsabu l-Istat Membri fit-tħejjija biex jittrattaw il-ħsara ambjentali skont id-Direttiva jvarja. Uħud mill-Istati Membri huma avvanzati biżżejjed f’termini tal-linji gwida dwar il-valutazzjoni teknika u ekonomika (il-Belġju, id-Danimarka, Franza, l-Ungerija, il-Pajjiżi l-Baxxi, Spanja, u r-Renju Unit), tal-proċeduri u l-manwali għall-valutazzjoni tar-riskju (Spanja, il-Portugall, l-Italja) u l-linji gwida leġiżlattivi (Spanja, l-Ungerija, ir-Repubblika Ċeka, il-Latvja u l-Polonja). Sistemi speċjalizzati tas-sigurtà finanzjarja (bħall-ġbir kollettiv ta’ assi mill-kumpaniji tal-assigurazzjoni (insurance pools) fi Franza, fi Spanja u fl-Italja) joffru prodotti tal-assigurazzjoni DRA xierqa.

To help implement Annex II, the Commission sponsored research[12] on economic evaluation methodologies that can be used. REMEDE developed a tool-kit with methods for estimating remediation costs as well as case-studies to be used as examples.

Biex tgħin fl-implimentazzjoni tal-Anness II, il-Kummissjoni sponsorjat ir-riċerka[12] dwar il-metodoloġiji ta’ evalwazzjoni ekonomika li jistgħu jintużaw. REMEDE żviluppa sett ta’ għodda bil-metodi għall-istima tal-kostijiet tar-rimedju flimkien ma’ studji ta’ każijiet biex dawn jintużaw bħala eżempji.

Despite awareness-raising efforts[13], business and particularly those industry sectors more susceptible to risks and damage falling under the ELD (Annex III operators) are generally not aware of the ELD provisions . This applies in particular to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Interviews with operators in the second half of 2009[14] showed that the majority had not yet adapted their insurance policies to cover the ELD extended liabilities, while some were not even aware of its entry into force. This may be due to transposition delays, which caused legal uncertainty, and limited awareness-raising efforts. These results have been complemented by a survey carried out by the Commission in 2009 using the European Business Test Panel[15]; the majority of operators and business associations reported high levels of uncertainty about their liabilities under the ELD and a limited use of financial instruments to cover ELD liabilities.

Minkejja l-isforzi ta’ sensibilizzazzjoni[13], il-kummerċ u partikolarment is-setturi tal- industrija li huma aktar suxxettibbli għal riskji u ħsara li jaqgħu taħt id-DRA (l-operaturi tal-Anness III) b ’ mod ġenerali mhumiex infurmati dwar id-dispożizzjonijiet tad-DRA . Dan japplika b’mod partikolari għall-Impriżi Żgħar u ta’ Daqs Medju (SMEs – Small and Medium Enterprises). Intervisti ma’ operaturi fit-tieni nofs tal-2009[14] wrew li l-maġġoranza kienu għadhom ma adattawx il-poloz tal-assigurazzjoni tagħhom biex dawn ikopru r-responsabbiltajiet estiżi tad-DRA, filwaqt li wħud lanqas kienu jafu dwar id-dħul fis-seħħ tad-Direttiva. Dan jista’ jkun minħabba d-dewmien fit-traspożizzjoni, li kkawża inċertezza legali, u minħabba l-isforzi limitati ta’ sensibilizzazzjoni. Dawn ir-riżultati kienu kkomplementati bi stħarriġ li sar mill-Kummissjoni fl-2009 permezz tal-Bord bi Prova dwar in-Negozju Ewropew (European Business Test Panel)[15]; il-maġġoranza tal-operaturi u tal-assoċjazzjonijiet kummerċjali rrappurtaw livelli għoljin ta’ inċertezza dwar ir-responsabbiltajiet tagħhom taħt id-DRA u użu limitat ta’ strumenti finanzjarji li jkopru r-responsabbiltajiet DRA.

Operators aware of their environmental liabilities have tended to cover the resulting risks through a mix of environmental insurances such as General Third Party Liability- GTPL , Environmental Impairment Liability- EIL or other stand-alone insurance products. Operators were using to a much lesser extent other financial security, such as captives, bank guarantees, guarantees and funds.

L-operaturi li huma infurmati dwar ir-responsabbiltajiet ambjentali tagħhom għandhom it-tendenza li jkopru r-riskji li jirriżultaw b’taħlita ta’ assigurazzjonijiet ambjentali bħal Responsabbiltà Ġenerali ta’ Terzi Persuni ( GTPL - General Third Party Liability), Responsabbiltà għall-Ħsara Ambjentali ( EIL - Environmental Impairment Liability) jew prodotti tal-assigurazzjoni marbutin esklussivament mat-termini u l-kondizzjonijiet li hemm stipulati fihom (stand-alone). L-operaturi għamlu ħafna anqas użu minn sigurtà finanzjarja f’sura oħra, bħal garanziji bankarji, garanziji u fondi.

A report from business[16] pointed out the need to examine all options available to provide financial security and suggested that Member States work on improving the national environmental liability regimes in place. It asked for more clarity and precision in the rules regarding the restoration of environmental damage.

Rapport mis-settur kummerċjali [16] ġibed l-attenzjoni rigward il-ħtieġa li jiġu eżaminati l-alternattivi disponibbli kollha għall-forniment ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja u ssuġġerixxa li l-Istati Membri jaħdmu biex itejbu s-sistemi nazzjonali stabbiliti fir-rigward tar-responsabbiltà ambjentali. Talab għal aktar ċarezza u preċiżjoni fir-regoli dwar ir-restituzzjoni tal-ħsara ambjentali.

The insurance industry reacted positively to the introduction of the ELD . Significant work on what the ELD means for the insurance sector has been carried out and widely disseminated[17]. The industry has gradually developed products for ELD, either specific ‘stand alone’ solutions, or top-ups to existing liability products. Work is in hand on practical implementation issues such as underwriting and claims management, as are efforts to develop a database of case studies to share experiences. However, there remains uncertainty at this early stage as to the readiness of existing products to deal with ELD cases. The insurance industry[18] also reported that the recent economic crisis had resulted in a temporary drop in the industry’s capacity to provide ELD cover.

L-industrija rreaġixxiet b ’ mod pożittiv għall-introduzzjoni tad-DRA . Saret ħidma sinifikanti dwar xi tfisser id-DRA għas-settur tal-assigurazzjoni u din tqassmet fuq firxa wiesgħa[17]. Gradwalment l-industrija żviluppat prodotti għad-DRA, jiġifieri soluzzjonijiet speċifiċi ‘stand alone’, jew żidiet mal-prodotti tal-assigurazzjoni tar-responsabbiltà li diġà kienu jeżistu. Tinsab għaddejja ħidma fuq kwistjonijiet prattiċi ta’ implimentazzjoni bħal sottoskrizzjoni u l-ġestjoni ta’ talbiet, kif ukoll sforzi biex tiġi żviluppata dejtabejż ta’ studji tal-każijiet għall-qsim tal-esperjenza. Madankollu, f’dan l-istadju bikri għad hemm inċertezza dwar kemm il-prodotti eżistenti huma verament lesti biex jittrattaw każijiet DRA. L-industrija tal-assigurazzjoni[18] rrappurtat ukoll li l-kriżi ekonomika ta’ dan l-aħħar irriżultat f’nuqqas temporanju fil-kapaċità tal-industrija li tipprovdi kopertura DRA.

It can be concluded that the transposition of the ELD was slow and that implementation methods vary widely across the EU. This divergence delayed the development of financial security options at national level. Although the wide variety of national implementation methods may impair the effectiveness of the Directive, it is extremely difficult to verify exactly how.

Wieħed jista’ jikkonkludi li t-traspożizzjoni tad-DRA saret bil-mod u li l-metodi ta ’ implimentazzjoni jvarjaw b ’ mod konsiderevoli madwar l-UE. Din id-diverġenza kellha l-konsegwenza ta’ dewmien fl-iżvilupp tal-alternattivi ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja fil-livell nazzjonali. Għalkemm jista’ jkun li l-varjetà sostanzjali li hemm fil-metodi ta’ implimentazzjoni nazzjonali taffettwa b'mod negattiv l-effettività tad-Direttiva, huwa diffiċli ferm li wieħed jivverifka eżattament kif.

4. FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR ELD

4. SIGURTÀ FINANZJARJA GħAD-DRA

4.1. Development of financial security products

4.1. L-iżvilupp ta’ prodotti ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja

Under Article 14(1) of the Directive, Member States are requested to encourage the development of financial security instruments and markets. Member States took rather limited action, restricted to discussions with insurers and/or their trade associations. In most cases the national ELD markets developed at the insurers’ initiative, even in the cases where mandatory financial security has been established.

Skont l-Artikolu 14(1) tad-Direttiva, l-Istati Membri huma mitluba jħeġġu l-iżvilupp ta’ strumenti u swieq ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja. L-Istati Membri ftit ħadu azzjoni, u din kienet ristretta għal diskussjonijiet mal-assiguraturi u/jew l-assoċjazzjonijiet kummerċjali tagħhom. F’bosta każijiet is-swieq DRA żviluppaw fuq l-inizjattiva tal-assiguraturi, saħansitra fil-każijiet fejn ġiet stabbilita s- sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja .

4.1.1 Financial Security products for the ELD

4.1.1 Prodotti ta’ Sigurtà Finanzjarja għad-DRA

Insurance has proven to be the most popular instrument to cover environmental liability, followed by bank guarantees (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and UK) and other Market Based Instruments (MBIs), such as funds, bonds, etc (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland and Spain). Insurance pools are present in Spain, France and Italy.

L-assigurazzjoni rriżultat bħala l-istrument l-aktar popolari għall-kopertura tar-responsabbiltà ambjentali, segwit minn garanziji bankarji (l-Awstrija, il-Belġju, Ċipru, ir-Repubblika Ċeka, il-Pajjiżi l-Baxxi, il-Polonja, Spanja u r-Renju Unit) u Strumenti Bbażati fuq is-Suq oħrajn (MBIs - Market Based Instruments), bħal fondi, bonds, eċċ (l-Awstrija, il-Belġju, il-Bulgarija, Ċipru, il-Polonja u Spanja). Il-ġbir kollettiv tal-assi mill-kumpaniji tal-assigurazzjoni jinsab fi Spanja, Franza u fl-Italja.

A significant part of the ELD-derived liabilities can be covered under traditional General Third Party Liability or Environmental Impairment Liability policies. (Re-)insurers are currently offering extensions to existing GTPL or EIL policies and new, specialised stand-alone products. When the ELD was adopted in 2004, reports indicated that there were practically no insurance products covering risks where the economic consequences could not be fully predicted. Since then, suitable products have appeared on the EU market. However, coverage of damage due to GMOs remains difficult: in Spain where mandatory financial security provisions apply without exclusion for GMOs, there is a special provision to address any damage and losses under a civil liability regime and not ELD.

Parti sinifikanti tar-responsabbiltajiet li jirriżultaw mid-DRA jistgħu jkunu koperti taħt il-poloz tar-Responsabbiltà Ġenerali ta’ Terzi Persuni jew poloz tar-Responsabbiltà għall-Ħsara Ambjentali. (Ri)assiguraturi bħalissa qed joffru estensjonijiet għall-poloz eżistenti GTPL jew EIL u prodotti ‛stand-alone’ ġodda, Meta d-DRA ġiet adottata fl-2004, ir-rapporti indikaw li ma kien hemm prattikament l-ebda prodott tal-assigurazzjoni li jkopri riskji fil-każijiet fejn il-konsegwenzi ekonomiċi ma setgħux jiġu mbassra kompletament. Minn dak iż-żmien ’il hawn, fis-suq tal-UE tfaċċaw prodotti xierqa. Madankollu, il-kopertura tal-ħsara kkawżata mill-OMĠ għadha diffiċili: fi Spanja fejn japplikaw id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja mingħajr l-esklużjoni tal-OMĠ, hemm dispożizzjoni speċjali li tindirizza kwalunkwe ħsara u telf f’sistema ta’ responsabbiltà ċivili u mhux skont id-DRA.

At present it is difficult to assess whether the current capacity of the (re-)insurance industry is large enough to cover ELD liabilities efficiently. The ELD capacities of the insurance industries are constantly evolving, as demand for products increases. Capacities can also be raised through non-insurance financial security instruments.

Bħalissa huwa diffiċli biex wieħed jivvaluta jekk il-kapaċità fil-preżent tal-industrija ta’ (ri)assigurazzjoni hix biżżejjed biex tkopri b’mod effiċjenti r-responsabbiltajiet DRA. Il-kapaċitajiet DRA tal-industriji tal-assigurazzjoni qed jevolvu b’mod kostanti, hija u tiżdied id-domanda għall-prodotti. Il-kapaċitajiet jistgħu wkoll jiżdiedu permezz ta’ strumenti ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja li mhumiex tal-assigurazzjoni.

4.1.2 Other types of financial security

4.1.2 Tipi oħra ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja

There is a general focus on insurance products as a way to cover ELD liabilities, although a range of alternatives exist. In connection with other environmental legislation, such as that on waste management, significant experience has been gained with non-insurance instruments (bonds, bank guarantees, funds, captives, etc). These instruments require little change to make them suitable for ELD-related liabilities. It should be noted that some alternative instruments are more appropriate for large operators with numerous operations than for SMEs.

Għalkemm teżisti firxa sħiħa ta’ alternattivi, l-attenzjoni ġenerali hija fuq prodotti tal-assigurazzjoni bħala mod kif ir-responsabbiltajiet DRA jistgħu jkunu koperti. Inkisbet esperjenza sinifikanti bi strumenti li mhumiex tal-assigurazzjoni (bonds, garanziji bankarji, fondi, captives, eċċ.) b’rabta ma’ leġiżlazzjoni ambjentali oħra, bħal dik dwar il-ġestjoni tal-iskart. Dawn l-istrumenti jirrikjedu ftit tibdil biex ikunu adattati għar-responsabbiltajiet relatati mad-DRA. Wieħed għandu jinnota li ċerti strumenti alternattivi huma aktar adattati għal operaturi kbar b’ħafna operazzjonijiet milli għal Impriżi Żgħar u ta’ Daqs Medju.

The suitability of financial security instruments will depend on their efficiency in terms of remediation costs covered, their availability to operators, and their effectiveness for preventing pollution. No available instrument appears to fulfil all three requirements for all ELD liabilities and all the sectors concerned, so the choice of instrument will vary across operators.

L-adegwatezza tal-istrumenti ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja se tiddependi fuq l-effiċjenza tagħhom f’termini tal-kostijiet tar-rimedju koperti, id-disponibbiltà tagħhom għall-operaturi, u l-effettività tagħom fil-prevenzjoni tat-tniġġis. L-ebda strument disponibbli ma jidher li jissodisfa t-tliet rekwiżiti għar-responsabbiltajiet DRA kollha u għas-setturi kollha konċernati, u minħabba dan l-għażla tal-istrument se tvarja fost l-operaturi.

4.1.3 Limitations and gaps in financial security products

4.1.3 Limitazzjonijiet u nuqqasijiet fil-prodotti ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja

The limitations of the insurance products currently available are the exclusion of gradual environmental damage and exclusions for some types of remediation, such as compensatory remediation. These limitations are due to a lack of data about ELD incidents and inability to quantify potential losses. As the market gains experience, these limitations will gradually be resolved.

Il-limitazzjonijiet tal-prodotti tal-assigurazzjoni li hemm disponibbli fil-preżent huma l-esklużjoni tal-ħsara ambjentali gradwali u l-esklużjonijiet għal xi tipi ta’ rimedju, bħar-rimedju li jikkumpensa. Dawn il-limitazzjonijiet huma dovuti minħabba n-nuqqas ta’ dejta dwar inċidenti DRA u minħabba li t-telf potenzjali ma jkunx jista’ jiġi kkwantifikat. Bil-mod il-mod dawn il-limitazzjonijiet jiġu solvuti, hekk kif tiżdied ukoll l-esperjenza fis-suq.

4.2. The need for harmonised mandatory financial security

4.2. Il-ħtieġa għal sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja armonizzata

The Commission has to examine the need for a harmonised mandatory financial security system at the EU level. Given that the transposition of the ELD resulted in divergent implementation rules, that the Member States opting for mandatory financial security do not yet have their systems in place, so mandatory approaches cannot be evaluated, and that more financial security products are becoming available, it is premature for the Commission to propose mandatory financial security at EU level.

Il-Kummissjoni għandha teżamina l-ħtieġa għal sistema ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja armonizzata fil-livell tal-UE. Minħabba li t-traspożizzjoni tad-DRA rriżultat f’regoli ta’ implimentazzjoni diverġenti, minħabba li l-Istati Membri li għażlu s-sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja għadhom ma stabbilixxewx is-sistemi tagħhom, u għalhekk ma tistax issir evalwazzjoni tal-approċċi obbligatorji, u minħabba l-fatt tad-disponibbiltà dejjem tiżdied ta' aktar prodotti ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja, il-Kummissjoni għadha mhix fil-pożizzjoni li tipproponi sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja fil-livell tal-UE.

4.3. Addressing financial security issues

4.3. L-indirizzar ta' kwistjonijiet ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja

No commonly agreed definitions exist for the three issues the Commission has to consider in the report (gradual approach, ceilings for financial guarantees and the exclusion of low-risk activities). Possible approaches to these issues were explored with Member State experts and stakeholders. An assessment of the systems in place suggests that to facilitate implementation, all mandatory financial security schemes should employ a form of gradual approach, provide for the exclusion of low-risk activities, and include ceilings for financial guarantees.

Ma teżisti l-ebda definizzjoni miftiehma b’mod konġunt dwar it-tliet kwistjonijiet li l-Kummissjoni għandha tqis fir-rapport (l-approċċ gradwali, il-limiti għal garanziji finanzjarji u l-esklużjoni ta’ attivitajiet b’riskju baxx). L-approċċi possibbli għal dawn il-kwistjonijiet ġew diskussi mal-esperti tal-Istati Membri u mal-partijiet involuti. Valutazzjoni tas-sistemi stabbiliti tissuġġerixxi li sabiex l-implimentazzjoni tkun iffaċilitata, l-iskemi ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja għandhom jużaw forma ta’ approċċ gradwali, għandhom jistipulaw l-esklużjoni ta’ attivitajiet b’riskju baxx, u għandhom jinkludu limiti għal garanziji finanzjarji.

4.3.1 A gradual approach

4.3.1 Approċċ gradwali

A gradual approach means the gradual introduction of financial security for different risk types and industrial sectors or liabilities covered. Member State applications of the gradual approach include the limitation of mandatory financial security to Annex III activities for which a permit, approval, or registration is required, while others have imposed mandatory financial security for some Annex III activities , starting with the riskier ones (in Hungary this is limited to IPPC installations).

Approċċ gradwali jfisser l-introduzzjoni gradwali ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja għall-kopertura ta’ tipi differenti ta’ riskji u setturi industrijali jew ta' responsabbiltajiet koperti. Il-modi kif l-Istati Membri applikaw l-approċċ gradwali jinkludu l-limitazzjoni ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja għall- attivitajiet tal-Anness III li jirrikjedu permess, approvazzjoni jew reġistrazzjoni, filwaqt li oħrajn imponew sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja għal ċerti attivitajiet tal-Anness III , li jibdew minn dawk l-aktar riskjużi (fl-Ungerija din hija limitata għal stallazzjonijiet IPPC).

4.3.2 Ceilings for the financial guarantee

4.3.2 Limiti għall-garanzija finanzjarja

No financial security system, be it insurance, bank guarantee or a trust fund, will provide unlimited liability. Therefore, ceilings apply both to voluntary and mandatory financial security mechanisms. A ceiling for the financial guarantee could be introduced where the risk of damage occurring above that ceiling is considered as low, and depends on the location, type and size of the operation. Spain introduced ceilings to the liability cover their operators need of up to a maximum of € 5 million. In other countries ceilings are arranged between insurers and operators. Insurance companies can also introduce ceilings to the liabilities they wish to cover, subsequently setting limits to the premiums to be paid but also in the coverage that their guarantee provides. The previous ceilings apply when determining the maximum coverage of the policies. In practice, there are also reimbursement ceilings of ELD policies, which currently range between € 1 million and € 30 million.

L-ebda sistema ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja, kemm jekk tkun assigurazzjoni, garanzija bankarja jew fond fiduċjarju, mhija se tipprovdi responsabbiltà mingħajr limitu. Għaldaqstant, il-limiti japplikaw kemm għall-mekkaniżmi ta ’ sigurtà finanzjarja fuq bażi volontarja kif ukoll għal dawk fuq bażi obbligatorja . Jista’ jiddaħħal limitu għall-garanzija finanzjarja fil-każ li jitqies bħala baxx, ir-riskju li l-ħsara se taqbeż dak il-limitu, u dan jiddependi fuq il-post, it-tip u d-daqs tal-operazzjoni. Spanja introduċiet limiti għall-kopertura ta’ responsabbiltà meħtieġa mill-operaturi tagħha sa massimu ta’ EUR 5 miljun. F’pajjiżi oħra l-limiti jiġu miftiehma bejn l-assiguraturi u l-operaturi. Il-kumpaniji tal-assigurazzjoni jistgħu wkoll idaħħlu limiti għar-responsabbiltajiet li jixtiequ jkopru, u mbagħad jistabbilixxu limiti għall-primjums li jitħallsu kif wkoll għall-kopertura li l-garanzija tagħhom tipprovdi. Il-limiti tal-ewwel japplikaw biex tkun stabbilita l-kopertura massima tal-poloz. Fil-prattika, hemm ukoll limiti għar-rimbors tal-poloz DRA, li bħalissa jvarjaw bejn EUR 1 miljun u EUR 30 miljun.

4.3.3 Exclusion of low-risk activities

4.3.3 L-esklużjoni ta’ attivitajiet b’riskju baxx

Low-risk activities could be excluded from a mandatory financial security scheme based on a risk assessment of the potential environmental damage from Annex III activities[19]. Mandatory systems also define low-risk activities as those where the companies have an EMAS or ISO environmental management system[20]; this might be disputable, as other factors may play a more significant role in determining the operator’s actual environmental risks, such as the nature of the activity and its location. Stakeholders said that excluding operators on the grounds that their activities are perceived as low-risk might be controversial, as these activities could still in reality cause significant environmental damage.

Attivitajiet b’riskju baxx jistgħu jiġu esklużi minn skema ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja bbażata fuq valutazzjoni tar-riskju tal-ħsara ambjentali potenzjali mill-attivitajiet tal-Anness III[19]. Barra minn hekk sistemi obbligatorji jiddefinixxu attivitajiet b’riskju baxx bħala dawk l-attivitajiet fejn il-kumpaniji għandhom sistema ta’ ġestjoni ambjentali EMAS jew ISO[20]; dan jista’ jiġi kkontestat, għaliex hemm fatturi oħra li għandhom rwol aktar sinifikanti fid-determinazzjoni tar-riskji ambjentali attwali tal-operatur, pereżempju n-natura tal-attività u l-post fejn issir. Il-partijiet involuti qalu li l-esklużjoni tal-operaturi minħabba r-raġuni li l-attivitajiet tagħhom huma meqjusa bħala ta' riskju baxx tista’ tkun kontroversjali, għaliex fir-realtà dawn l-attivitajiet xorta jistgħu jikkawżaw ħsara ambjentali sinifikanti.

4.3.4. Conclusions on aspects to be considered for financial security

4.3.4. Konklużjonijiet dwar l-aspetti li għandhom jiġu kkunsidrati fil-kuntest tas-sigurtà finanzjarja

Research into the feasibility, impact and effectiveness of mandatory financial security would illustrate in detail how such schemes could be implemented without significantly reducing the effective coverage of ELD liabilities. Many of the available options, such as a gradual approach, ceilings for financial security and the exclusion of low-risk activities, are already being implemented by Member States.

Riċerka dwar il-fattibbiltà, l-impatt u l-effettività tas-sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja għandha turi fid-dettall kif skemi bħal dawn jistgħu jiġu implimentati mingħajr tnaqqis sinifikanti fil-kopertura effettiva tar-responsabbiltajiet DRA. Ħafna minn dawn l-alternattivi disponibbli, bħall-approċċ gradwali, il-limiti għas-sigurtà finanzjarja u l-esklużjoni ta’ attivitajiet b’riskju baxx, diġà qed jiġu implimentati mill-Istati Membri.

Whereas some form of gradual approach would necessarily be part of any mandatory financial security scheme, the other two options might or might not be employed in a mandatory scheme. Using any of the three options needs a thorough analysis; they can facilitate implementation of mandatory financial security, but may also reduce effectiveness.

Filwaqt li xi forma ta’ approċċ gradwali neċessarjament għandha tkun parti minn kwalunkwe skema ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja, iż-żewġ alternattivi l-oħra jistgħu jintużaw jew ma jintużawx fi skema obbligatorja. L-użu ta’ kwalunkwe waħda mit-tliet alternattivi jirrikjedi analiżi fid-dettall; jistgħu jiffaċilitaw l-implimentazzjoni ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja, madankollu jistgħu jnaqqsu wkoll mill-effettività.

5. CONCLUSIONS AND WAY FORWARD

5. IL-KONKLUżJONIJIET U T-TRIQ GħALL-ġEJJIENI

The ELD transposition was finalised on 1 July 2010. Available information does not yet allow for concrete conclusions to be drawn about the effectiveness of the Directive in remedying environmental damage . The three-year delay in transposing the Directive means that little practical experience is available yet on its implementation. Authorities often did not have rules compliant with the ELD in place on time. Operators were often unaware of the specific legal obligations. Insurers and other institutions offering financial security were not sufficiently familiar with the requirements their products had to meet to be ELD-compliant.

It-traspożizzjoni tad-DRA ġiet iffinalizzata fl-1 ta’ Lulju 2010. L-informazzjoni li hemm disponibbli għadha ma tippermettix li jinġabru konklużjonijiet konkreti dwar l-effettività tad-Direttiva għar-rimedju tal-ħsara ambjentali . Id-dewmien ta’ tliet snin fit-traspożizzjoni tad-Direttiva jfisser li għalissa ma hemmx ħafna esperjenza prattika disponibbli dwar l-implimentazzjoni tagħha. Ħafna drabi l-awtoritajiet ma kellhomx regoli fis-seħħ u fil-ħin li kienu konformi mad-DRA. L-operaturi ta’ sikwit ma kinux infurmati dwar l-obbligi legali speċifiċi. L-assiguraturi u istituzzjonijiet oħra li joffru sigurtà finanzjarja ma kinux familjari biżżejjed mar-rekwiżiti li l-prodotti tagħhom kellhom jissodisfaw biex ikunu konformi mad-DRA.

The results of the studies carried out for this report and the experience gained with the implementation of the ELD indicate that several measures can be undertaken to improve the implementation and effectiveness of the Directive :

Ir-riżultati tal-istudji li saru għal dan ir-rapport u l-esperjenza miksuba mill-implimentazzjoni tad-DRA juru li jistgħu jitwettqu bosta miżuri bil għan li jtejbu l-implimentazzjoni u l-effettività tad-Direttiva :

4. Promote information exchange and communication between the key stakeholders (operators, competent authorities, financial security providers, industry associations, government experts, NGOs and the Commission).

4. Il-promozzjoni tal- iskambju tal-informazzjoni u l-komunikazzjoni bejn il-partijiet involuti ewlenin (l-operaturi, l-awtoritajiet kompetenti, il-fornituri tas-sigurtà finanzjarja, l-assoċjazzjonijiet tal-industrija, l-esperti tal-gvern, l-NGOs u l-Kummissjoni).

5. Industry associations, financial security associations, and the competent authorities implementing the Directive should continue to promote awareness of individual operators and financial security providers through awareness-raising actions.

5. L-assoċjazzjonijiet tal-industrija, l-assoċjazzjonijiet tas-sigurtà finanzjarja, u l-awtoritajiet kompetenti li jimplimentaw din id-Direttiva għandhom ikomplu jippromwovu l-għarfien tal-operaturi individwali u tal-fornituri tas-sigurtà finanzjarja permezz ta’ azzjonijiet ta’ sensibilizzazzjoni.

6. Develop further interpretation guidance on the application of the ELD, in particular possible guidelines at EU level on its Annex II. Key definitions and concepts, such as ‘environmental damage’, ‘significant damage’, ‘baseline condition’, where there is divergence in national implementation, will be discussed in the environmental liability group of government experts and should be clarified and evenly applied.

6. L-iżvilupp ulterjuri ta’ gwida għall-interpretazzjoni dwar l-applikazzjoni tad-DRA, b’mod partikolari u possibbilment linji gwida fil-livell tal-UE dwar l-Anness II tagħha. Fejn tirriżulta diverġenza fl-implimentazzjoni nazzjonali se jiġu diskussi fil-grupp għar-responsabbiltà ambjentali magħmul mill-esperti tal-gvern definizzjonijiet u kunċetti ewlenin, bħal ‘danni [ħsara] ambjentali’, ‘danni sinifikattivi [ħsara sinfikanti], ‘kundizzjoni tal-bażi [kundizzjoni bażi],’ u dawn għandhom jiġu ċċarati u applikati b’mod ugwali.

7. Member States are advised to establish records or registers of ELD cases[21]. This will allow lessons to be learnt on how best to apply the Directive and support ELD stakeholders. It will also help Member States to fulfil their reporting obligations under Article 18(1) ELD and allow the effectiveness of the ELD to be judged on the basis of actual cases.

7. L-Istati Membri huma rrakkomandati li jistabbilixxu rekords jew reġistri tal-każijiet DRA[21]. Dan jippermetti li tinkiseb esperjenza dwar kif id-Direttiva tista’ tiġi applikata bl-aħjar mod u joffri appoġġ lill-partijiet involuti fid-DRA. Għandu jgħin ukoll lill-Istati Membri biex jissodisfaw l-obbligi ta’ rappurtar tagħhom skont l-Artikolu 18(1) tad-DRA u jippermetti li jsir ġudizzju dwar l-effettività tad-DRA abbażi tal-każijiet reali.

Despite the financial crisis, evidence suggests that the ELD insurance market is growing in the EU and that an increasing variety of products is available. Greater legal clarity[22] is expected to lead to a more predictable and legally certain application of the ELD criteria by competent authorities and operators when dealing with cases of damage under this Directive.

Minkejja l-kriżi finanzjarja, l-evidenza tissuġġerixxi li s-suq tal-assigurazzjoni tad-DRA fl-UE qed jikber u li l-varjetà ta’ prodotti disponibbli qiegħda dejjem tiżdied. Wieħed jistenna li ċarezza legali msaħħa[22] jkollha l-konsegwenza li meta l-awtoritajiet kompetenti u l-operaturi jittrattaw każijiet ta’ ħsara skont din id-Direttiva, dawn japplikaw il-kriterji tad-DRA b’mod li jkun aktar prevedibbli u b’aktar ċertezza legali.

Because of the lack of practical experience in the application of the ELD, the Commission concludes that there is not sufficient justification at the present time for introducing a harmonised system of mandatory financial security . Developments in those Member States that have opted for mandatory financial security, including the gradual approach, and in the Member States that have not introduced obligatory financial security, will have to be further monitored before reliable conclusions can be drawn. The Commission will also actively monitor recent developments such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which may provide the justification for an initiative in this area.

Minħabba n-nuqqas ta’ esperjenza prattika fl-applikazzjoni tad-DRA, il-Kummissjoni tikkonkludi li fil-preżent ma hemmx biżżejjed ġustifikazzjoni għall-introduzzjoni ta ’ sistema armonizzata ta ’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja . Qabel ma jistgħu jinħarġu konklużjonijiet affidabbli jridu jiġu mmonitorjati l-iżviluppi li jsiru f’dawk l-Istati Membri li għażlu s-sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja, inkluż l-approċċ gradwali, kif ukoll l-iżviluppi f'dawk l-Istati Membri li ma daħħlux is-sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja. Il-Kummissjoni se tissorvelja wkoll b’mod attiv l-iżviluppi ta’ dan l-aħħar bħad-diżastru tat-tixrid taż-żejt fil-Golf tal-Messiku, li jistgħu joffru ġustifikazzjoni għal inizjattiva f’dan il-qasam.

The Commission will re-examine the option of mandatory financial security possibly even before the review of the Directive planned for 2014 in conjunction with the Commission report under Article 18(2) ELD. In addition, the present report has identified a number of other issues that call for more immediate attention. With regard to the general review of the ELD foreseen for 2013/2014, the evaluation on a continuous basis of the possible earlier introduction of the following corresponding measures will be launched without delay:

Il-Kummissjoni se teżamina mill-ġdid l-alternattiva ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja possibbilment anke qabel ir- reviżjoni tad-Direttiva ppjanata għall-2014 flimkien mar-rapport tal-Kummissjoni skont l-Artikolu 18(2) tad-DRA. Barra minn hekk, dan ir-rapport identifika għadd ta ’ kwistjonijiet oħra li jirrikjedu attenzjoni aktar immedjata. Fir-rigward tar-reviżjoni ġenerali tad-DRA prevista għall-2013/2014, l-evalwazzjoni fuq bażi kontinwa ta’ possibbilment l-introduzzjoni aktar bikrija tal-miżuri korrispondenti li ġejjin se titnieda mingħajr dewmien:

- the scope of the Directive : While the ELD covers specific environmental damage, mainly on land territory, the coverage of the marine environment is incomplete. The ELD extends to coastal waters and the territorial sea as regards ‘damage to water’ (through the Water Framework Directive) and to protected marine species and Natura 2000 sites within the jurisdiction of the Member States (extending to the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf where applicable), leaving a gap in the full remediation of damage to the marine environment. Damage to the marine environment due to oil spills caused by oil drilling activities is therefore not fully addressed by the present ELD provisions.

- l-ambitu tad-Direttiva : Filwaqt li d-DRA tkopri ħsara ambjentali speċifika, l-aktar fuq l-art, il-kopertura tal-ambjent tal-baħar mhix kompluta. Id-DRA hija estiża għall-ilmijiet kostali u l-baħar territorjali fir-rigward tad-‘danni [ħsara] lill-ilma’ (bis-saħħa tad-Direttiva Qafas dwar l-Ilma) u għall-protezzjoni tal-ispeċijiet tal-baħar u tas-siti tan-Natura 2000 li jinsabu fil-ġuriżdizzjonijiet tal-Istati Membri (li testendi għaż-żona ekonomika esklussiva u l-pjattaforma kontinentali, fejn japplika), u tħalli lakuna f’dak li jirrigwarda r-rimedju sħiħ tal-ħsara lill-ambjent tal-baħar. Għalhekk ħsara li ssir lill-ambjent tal-baħar minħabba t-tixrid taż-żejt ikkaġunat minn attivitajiet ta’ tħaffir għaż-żejt mhumiex indirizzati bis-sħiħ fid-dispożizzjonijiet attwali tad-DRA.

- the divergent national transposing rules potentially create difficulties, for example, to financial security providers who have to modify generic products to fit the requirements of each Member State where they are provided. A mandatory harmonised EU system for financial security for the ELD would have a greater chance of success if there was less divergence in the different national implementation provisions.

- ir-regoli nazzjonali diverġenti tat-traspożizzjoni jistgħu potenzjalment joħolqu diffikultajiet, pereżempju għall-fornituri tas-sigurtà finanzjarja li jkollhom jimmodifikaw prodotti ġeneriċi biex jakkomodaw ir-rekwiżiti ta’ kull Stat Membru fejn dawn jingħataw. Sistema armonizzata u obbligatorja tal-UE għas-sigurtà finanzjarja tad-DRA jkollha aktar suċċess jekk ikun hemm anqas diverġenza fid-dispożizzjonijiet nazzjonali differenti għall-implimentazzjoni.

- the uneven application of the permit and state of the art defences by Member States.

- l-applikazzjoni mhux ugwali mill-Istati Membri tad- difiża minħabba awtorizzazzjoni uffiċjali u tad-difiża skont il-konformità mal-ogħla livell ta' konoxxenza teknoloġika u xjentifika ta ’ dak iż-żmien .

- the uneven extension of the scope to cover damage to species and natural habitats protected under domestic legislation.

- l-estensjoni mhux ugwali tal-ambitu biex ikopri ħsara lil speċijiet u ħabitats naturali protetti bil-leġiżlazzjoni domestika.

- the sufficiency of actual financial ceilings set for established financial security instruments with regard to potential large scale accidents. The ability of existing financial security instruments to cover massive incidents needs to be assessed in connection with applicable financial ceilings and the potential of different types of instruments, such as funds, insurance, guarantees, etc. In this context, the review will aim at discovering the most efficient ways of ensuring sufficient financial resources in case of large scale incidents that involve responsible parties with mediocre or even low financial capacity.

- is-suffiċjenza tal-limiti finanzjarji attwali ffissati għall-istrumenti ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja stabbiliti fir-rigward ta’ inċidenti li potenzjalment iseħħu fuq skala kbira. Il-kapaċità tal-istrumenti ta’ sigurtà finanzjarja eżistenti biex dawn ikopru inċidenti ta' dimensjoni kbira ħafna jeħtieġ li tiġi vvalutata b’rabta mal-limiti finanzjarji applikabbli u mal-potenzjal ta’ tipi differenti ta’ strumenti, bħal fondi, assigurazzjoni, garanziji, eċċ. F’dan il-kuntest ir-reviżjoni se jkollha fil-mira tagħha l-esplorar tal-modi l-aktar effiċjenti kif jiġu żgurati riżorsi finanzjarji suffiċjenti f’każ ta’ inċidenti fuq skala kbira li jinvolvu partijiet responsabbli b'kapaċità finanzjarja medjokri jew saħansitra baxxa.

[1] OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 56.

[1] ĠU L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 56.

[2] Financial Security in Environmental Liability Directive. Final Report August 2008. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/legal/liability/pdf/eld_report.pdf.

[2] Financial Security in Environmental Liability Directive. Final Report August 2008 [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti]. Disponibbli fuq: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/legal/liability/pdf/eld_report.pdf.

[3] Study on the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) and related Financial Security issues. Final Report November 2009. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/legal/liability/pdf/ELD%20Study%20November%202009.pdf.

[3] Study on the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) and related Financial Security issues. Final Report November 2009 [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti] Disponibbli fuq: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/legal/liability/pdf/ELD%20Study%20November%202009.pdf.

[4] Navigating the Environmental Liability Directive. A practical guide for insurance underwriters and claims handlers (2009); The Environmental Liability Directive. Enhancing Sustainable Insurance Solutions (2008); CEA White Paper on Insurability of Environmental Liability (2007). Available at: http://www.cea.eu.

[4] Navigating the Environmental Liability Directive. A practical guide for insurance underwriters and claims handlers (2009) [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti]; The Environmental Liability Directive. Enhancing Sustainable Insurance Solutions (2008) [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti]; CEA White Paper on Insurability of Environmental Liability (2007) [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti]. Disponibbli fuq: http://www.cea.eu.

[5] Business survey on environmental issues through the European Business Test Panel (2009) (see footnote 15); Ad-hoc Industry Natural Resource Damage Group, Report. Survey of industrial companies, 2010. Also FERMA, Survey on Environmental Liability Directive Report, 2010.

[5] Business survey on environmental issues through the European Business Test Panel (2009) (ara n-nota ta' qiegħ il-paġna nru 15); Ad-hoc Industry Natural Resource Damage Group, Report [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti]. Survey of industrial companies, 2010 [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti]. Kif ukoll FERMA, Survey on Environmental Liability Directive Report, 2010 [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti].

[6] Italy, Lithuania, Latvia and Hungary.

[6] L-Italja, il-Litwanja, il-Latvja u l-Ungerija.

[7] France, Finland, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Greece, Austria and UK.

[7] Franza, il-Finlandja, is-Slovenja, il-Lussemburgu, il-Greċja, l-Awstrija u r-Renju Unit.

[8] Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7.

[8] Id-Direttiva 2009/147/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tat-30 ta’ Novembru 2009 dwar il-konservazzjoni tal-għasafar selvaġġi, ĠU L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7.

[9] Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

[9] Id-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 92/43/KEE dwar il-konservazzjoni tal-ħabitats naturali u tal-fawna u l-flora selvaġġi, ĠU L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

[10] Member States are not obliged to report data to the Commission for this report. Information was provided on a voluntary basis by government experts from about half of the Member States and extrapolated to give rough estimates for ELD cases.

[10] L-Istati Membri mhumiex obbligati li jirrappurtaw id-dejta lill-Kummissjoni għal dan ir-rapport. L-informazzjoni ngħatat fuq bażi volontarja mill-esperti tal-gvern minn madwar nofs l-Istati Membri u ġiet estrapolata sabiex jingħataw stimi approssimattivi għall-każijiet DRA.

[11] Directive 2008/1/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning integrated pollution prevention and control, OJ L 24, 29.1.2008, p. 8.

[11] Id-Direttiva 2008/1/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill dwar il-prevenzjoni u l-kontroll integrati tat-tniġġis, ĠU L 24, 29.1.2008, p. 8.

[12] The REMEDE project case studies and the tool-kit are available at: http://www.envliability.eu.

[12] L-istudji tal-każijiet u s-sett ta’ għodda huma disponibbli fuq is-sit elettroniku: http://www.envliability.eu.

[13] For instance ‘EU ELD White Paper Final Draft: EU Environmental Liability Directive: Practical Suggestions to Ensure Sound Implementation’ by Ad-Hoc Industry Natural Resource Damage Group.

[13] Pereżempju ‘EU ELD White Paper Final Draft: EU Environmental Liability Directive: Practical Suggestions to Ensure Sound Implementation’ mill-Ad-Hoc Industry Natural Resource Damage Group. [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti].

[14] More information in the study mentioned in footnote 3.

[14] Aktar tagħrif dwar l-istudju msemmi fin-nota ta' qiegħ il-paġna numru 3.

[15] The results are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ebtp/consultations/2009_en.htm.

[15] Ir-riżultati jinsabu fuq: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ebtp/consultations/2009_en.htm.

[16] Survey of the Ad-Hoc Industry Group (footnote 5), available at: www.NRDonline.com.

[16] L-istħarriġ tal - Ad-Hoc Industry Group (nota ta' qiegħ il-paġna nru 5), huwa disponibbli fuq: www.NRDonline.com.

[17] Relevant publications are at the web pages of the Confederation of European Insurers (CEA): www.cea.eu.

[17] Il-pubblikazzjonijiet rilevanti jinsabu fuq is-sit elettroniku tal-Konfederazzjoni tal-Assiguraturi Ewropej (CEA): www.cea.eu.

[18] Workshop on ‘Implementation efficiency of the environmental liability directive (ELD) and related financial security issues’, 10 July 2009. Workshop report is available at: http://www.biohost.org/eld/workshop09/.

[18] Workshop dwar ‘Implementation efficiency of the environmental liability directive (ELD) and related financial security issues’ [mhux disponibbli bil-Malti], l-10 ta' Lulju 2009. Ir-rapport tal-workshop huwa disponibbli fuq: http://www.biohost.org/eld/workshop09/.

[19] The Spanish mandatory financial security system exempts operators with an estimated potential envpotential environmental damage below € 300 000 (or between € 300 000 and € 2 million when operators implement EMAS/ISO 14001). This would exempt a potentially large number of operators from compulsory financial security, making it easier to implement the scheme, but the potential environmental damage of all Annex III activities would need to be analysed.

[19] L-iskema ta' sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja ta' Spanja teżenta lill-operaturi li għandhom potenzjal stmat ta' ħsara ambjentali taħt it-EUR 300 000 (jew bejn EUR 300 000 u EUR 2 miljun meta l-operaturi jimplimentaw EMAS/ISO 14001). Dan jeżenta għadd potenzjalment kbir ta' operaturi mis-sigurtà finanzjarja obbligatorja, u jagħmilha faċli għalihom biex jimplimentaw l-iskema, iżda dan ikun jeħtieġ li tiġi analizzata l-ħsara ambjentali potenzjali tal-attivitajiet kollha tal-Anness III.

[20] This is true for Spain (see above) and the Czech Republic.

[20] Dan jgħodd għal Spanja (ara fuq) u għar-Repubblika Ċeka.

[21] The Commission is aware of Member States’ efforts on this; some of them have incorporated provisions in their transpositions.

[21] Il-Kummissjoni hija infurmata dwar l-isforzi tal-Istati Membri f'dan ir-rigward; uħud minnhom inkorporaw dispożizzjonijiet fit-traspożizzjonijiet tagħhom.

[22] See for example the two preliminary rulings by the European Court of Justice in the Italian Rada de Augusta cases C-378/08 and combined cases C-379/08 and C-380/08, where the Court clarified questions in relation to the polluter pays principle and regarding the duties of competent authorities, such as the establishment of the causal link, determination and alteration of remedial measures, identification of liable parties etc.

[22] Ara pereżempju ż-żewġ sentenzi preliminari tal-Qorti Ewropea tal-Ġustizzja tal-Unjoni Ewropea fil-kawżi tal-Italja Rada de Augusta C-378/08 u l-kawżi C-379/08 u C-380/08 magħqudin, fejn il-Qorti ċċarat il-mistoqsijiet relatati mal-prinċipju ta' min iniġġes iħallas u dwar il-kompiti tal-awtoritajiet kompetenti, bħall-ippruvar tal-konnessjoni kawżali, id-determinazzjoni u l-immodifikar tal-miżuri ta' rimedju, l-identifikazzjoni tal-partijiet responsabbli eċċ.