In April 2004, members of the EU agreed to implement the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) within three years, making them legally bound to do so by April 2007. 

A small proportion of countries have completed implementation, and the majority of members are within reach of doing so.  Regardless of these delays in implementation the legislation will be backdated to the deadline of 30 April 2007. 

A recent article from AON's Property Eye looks at the implications for commercial owners and property developers, looking at environmental damages such as:

• Harm/ damage to species and natural habitats
• Pollution of waters covered by the 2000 Water Directive Framework
• Land contamination that creates a risk to human health

To view the article from AON's Property Eye, please follow the link to the right of the page.