December 18 (SeeNews) - The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) said it has imposed a fine of 1.5 million euro ($1.63 million) on Romania for failing to close several unauthorised landfills.
This is the second time the CJEU has found Romania in breach of its EU obligations, following a 2018 judgment that ordered the closure of 68 unauthorised landfills, the court said in a press release on December 14.
Romania has not fully complied, as 31 of the landfills remain active.
In addition to the 1.5 million euro fine, the court has also imposed a penalty payment of 600 euro per landfill and per day of delay.
"The incomplete implementation of the 2018 judgment entails a significant risk of pollution and serious consequences for human health, in particular through the release of harmful chemicals into soil, air and water. In addition, the failure to fulfil obligations has persisted for more than four years, which is a considerable duration," the CJEU said.
($=0.915660 euro)