ABSTRACT
EEC environmental policy is based on a 1973 Action Programme (revised 1977) adopted because environmental resources are increasingly limiting economic and social development. It also permits common objectives and rules for environmental protection and improvement by Member States. A central element of the policy is to prevent pollution or nuisance at source rather than subsequently to mitigate undesirable effects, and it therefore emphasises the importance of environmental planning. Member States’ governments, through the Action Programme, charged the Commission to review and draw up proposals for harmonising national environmental regulations at the Community level.
