EU legislation on the environment, which covers practically all sectors of the environment, applies throughout the Union for the benefit of all EU citizens. Primary responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of this legislation rests with member states who are required to establish the necessary legal and administrative arrangements at national level, and in accordance with national practice, for that purpose. Responsibility for taking legal proceedings to ensure compliance with Union environment legislation rests primarily with the European Commission. It is also open to a member state, under Article 170 of the Treaty on European Union, where it considers that another member state has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Treaty, to bring the matter before the Court of Justice. No fundamental change in this allocation of responsibilities appears at present to be contemplated within the EU.
Community involvement in relation to nuclear issues is based on the EURATOM Treaty. A possible review and update of this Treaty to place a greater emphasis on health, safety and environmental aspects is among the proposals being considered by a group of Ministers and senior officials set up to develop a concerted strategy for progressing the Government's policy on Sellafield and related concerns about the nuclear industry. The group will submit proposals to the Government at an early date.