(Finance) – “If presents serious and relevant dangers for the environment and human healththe operation of the steelworks former Ilva of Taranto It will be suspended. It is up to the Court of Milan evaluate it“. One says so ruling of the EU Court, underlining that “the notion of “pollution” under the Industrial Emissions Directive includes damage to the environment and human health“.
The prior assessment of the impact of the activity of an installation such as the former Ilva steelworks must “therefore constitute an internal act in the procedures for issuing and reviewing the operating authorization provided for by this directive”. In the review process “it is necessary to consider the polluting substances related to the installation’s activity, even if they were not assessed in the initial authorization process. In case of serious and relevant dangers to the integrity of the environment and human health, the operation of the installation must be suspended.”
The Supreme Court analyzed the Ilva case, one of the largest steel mills in Europe, in operation since 1965 and known for its significant negative effects on the environment and health. In 2019, such damages were confirmed by the European Court of Human Rights. Despite impact reduction measures foreseen since 2012, implementation deadlines have often been extended. The residents sued the steel mill, supporting non-compliance with industrial emissions directives. The Court highlighted the importance of protect both the environment and human health, establishing that health impacts must be considered when issuing and reviewing permits. In case of serious risks to the environment and health, the operation of the installation must be suspended and the protective measures cannot be repeatedly extended.