European Environmental Review package adopted Objectives of the Environmental Implementation Review The Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) is a tool to improve implementation of EU environmental law and policy. It aims to address the causes of implementation gaps and try to find solutions before problems become urgent. The Environmental Implementation Review Cycle The EIR is a two-yearly cycle of analysis, dialogue and collaboration, with publication of country reports and discussions between the European Commission, EU Member States and stakeholders. Country reports and common challenges Country reports are drafted every two years focusing on essential topics in the area of environmental policy and law in each EU Member State. They are published along with a summary that sets out common trends, recommendations and political conclusions. Overview Poor implementation of environmental law and policies has many negative effects, such as the environmental, economic and social costs, unequal playing level field for economic operators, and the loss of credibility of both national authorities and the EU. The Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) is a tool to help deliver the benefits of EU environmental law and policies for businesses and citizens through better implementation. It aims to address the causes of implementation gaps and find solutions before problems become urgent and reach the stage of infringements. The European Commission published the first ever comprehensive overview of how EU environmental policies and laws are applied on the ground. The EIR package (adopted the 3rd February 2017) includes 28 country reports which map national strengths, opportunities and weaknesses; a Communication identifying common challenges across countries, and suggested actions for improvement for all EU Member States presented in an Annex. Full implementation of EU environmental legislation could save the EU economy €50 billion every year in health costs and direct costs to the environment. The EU waste policy alone could create an additional 400,000 jobs by 2020, and full implementation of water legislation could bring annual benefits of nearly €2.8 billion. The EIR initiative is in line with the Commission’s Better Regulation policy, which includes improving implementation of existing legislation and policies and it’s linked to the process of Greening the European Semester. The EIR fits in with a series of activities for improving the implementation of environmental legislation. Contact You can send any comments, questions or information of relevance (such as reports, projects, etc.) to ENV-EIR@ec.europa.eu