The Commission said Polish citizens and environmental groups lack “effective access to justice” because they cannot challenge inadequate or absent air quality plans in national courts.
Such plans are mandatory for any EU state that breaches the bloc’s pollution limits.
"Proper court access makes it easier to enforce air quality laws and protects public health," the EU executive said, noting that it opened the infringement case in 2020 and issued a formal warning in September 2022.
A court defeat could expose Poland to fines.
In a second referral, Brussels faulted Poland for failing to transpose the revised 2020 Drinking Water Directive, which tightens contaminant thresholds, tackles microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and orders utilities to curb supply-line leaks.
EU countries were meant to embed the rules by January 2023; the Commission said Warsaw’s efforts remain "insufficient."
Warsaw has faced a series of EU legal challenges in recent years, ranging from judicial independence to waste-water treatment.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, IAR