Currently reading: UK to face EU legal action for lack of response to Dieselgate

The EU will start legal proceedings against countries it believes failed to correctly enforce environmental law

The European Commission will start legal proceedings against the UK for not enforcing environmental law during the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal.

According to reports on the Financial Times, Britain, along with Germany and up to seven other offending EU countries, will have to explain why it didn’t follow EU law that requires governments to punish environmental breaches.

Volkswagen’s use of emissions test cheat devices on its cars breached environmental law, and according to Brussels, the matter should have been met with more action from national governments.

Brussels will now send formal letters out to nations that it believes failed to uphold EU law. If the countries’ responses are not satisfactory, Brussels can move the case to the European courts.

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