ABSTRACT
Systematic legislation began to be introduced in the early 1970s to set common standards in the main problem areas: water and air pollution, chemicals, waste, nature conservation, and nuclear safety, which is treated as an environmental policy component though it has a history which goes back to the founding of the Community. Community action programs have given rise to about 200 pieces of legislation covering pollution of the atmosphere, water, and soil; waste management; safeguards in relation to chemicals and biotechnology; product standards; environmental impact assessments; and protection of nature. The Community has two basic methods of action: the introduction of common policies and the coordination of national policies. The Community has recognized that its future depends on its ability to adopt progressive environmental measures for implementation and enforcement by its member states. The internal and external dimensions of Community environment policy are therefore inextricably linked.
