Download This Paper‘Gold Plating’ of European Environmental Measures?
18 Pages Posted: 11 Oct 2009 Last revised: 22 Jun 2013
Date Written: October 8, 2009
Abstract
Minimum harmonization in European environmental law essentially means that the Member States have the power to lay down more stringent standards in this area of regulation than those laid down by European legislation. However, there are indications which seem to suggest that Member States make very little use of their powers to lay down or maintain more stringent national standards. The general question to be dealt with in this paper is whether Member States actually use their power to lay down or maintain more stringent environmental standards after European harmonization. Based upon the papers and discussion at the meeting of the Avosetta Group of European Environmental Lawyers in Monção (Portugal), 6 and 7th February 2009, this paper aims to paint an impressionist picture of the contemporary practice of gold plating (or not) in the Member States.
Keywords: gold plating, minimum harmonisation, national toppings
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Jan H. Jans (Contact Author)
University of Groningen - Department of Administrative Law and Public Administration, Faculty of Law ( email )
P.O. Box 716
Groningen, 9700 AS
Netherlands
+31 50 363 8870 (Phone)
HOME PAGE: http://www.rug.nl/staff/j.h.jans/index
Lorenzo Squintani
University of Groningen - Department of European and Economic Law, Faculty of Law ( email )
Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 26
9700 AS Groningen
Netherlands
0031(0)503635692 (Phone)
0031(0)503637250 (Fax)