New rules for environmental lawsuits: NGOs have access to dishes!

New rules for environmental lawsuits: NGOs have access to dishes!

Altrip, Deutschland - The European Commission has introduced a new review mechanism to meet the requirements of Aarhus Convention. This was announced today, on May 19, 2025. Mechanism particularly affects the use and access to courts in environmental affairs, which could be of great importance, especially for non -governmental organizations (NGOs). These can now apply for a review under certain conditions if they believe that an aid deadline violates the Union's environmental law, as Oekonews reports.

In order to be eligible to apply, NGOs must appear as an independent legal entity without a working character. You should actively work in the relevant area of the aid deadline and can prove that you have experience in the environmental field. It is interesting that review applications for final grants can be submitted according to a formal test procedure in accordance with Article 108 (2) TFEU.

caveaats in the review procedure

An important aspect of the new mechanism is that certain resolutions in accordance with Article 107 TFEU are excluded from the review. This includes, for example, social aid or aid to remove damage caused by natural disasters. Applicants must submit their application in the Official Journal within eight weeks after the publication of the aid deadline and can expect an answer from the Commission within 16 weeks. In justified cases, this period can be extended to up to 22 weeks.

The commission's answers to the review applications are published on a special website. In addition, applicants have the opportunity to contest the Commission's response to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which promotes the transparency and traceability of the procedure.

jurisprudence and legacy

The introduction of the review mechanism is in the context of various legal disputes that have been brought to court in the past. In recent years, there have been numerous judgments by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the authority of liabilities and complaints according to the environmental impact assessment directive (UVP directive). Important procedures include the complaints C-75/08, Mellor as well as C-115/09, Trianel, which dealt with aspects of the UVP, such as [aarhus-konvention.de] (https://www.aarhus-konvention.de/Rechtschrundlagen/eu/Rechtschutz-in-in- Umweltangekungen/)

These legal framework underlines the need and importance of a clear access to dishes in environmental matters. The new structure, which has now been introduced by the Commission, is a step to ensure that the interests of environmental law are adequately taken into account and that the public has more influence on environmentally relevant decisions.