Brussels, 25 July 2024
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Denmark, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Finland for failing to transpose into their national legislation the Directive (EU) 2024/242 amending Directive 2009/43/EC as regards the updating of the list of defence-related products.
The Transfers Directive (Directive 2009/43/EC) relates to the terms and conditions for the transfer of defence-related products in the European Union and aims at simplifying the terms and conditions for transfers of defence-related products between European countries and ensure the proper functioning of the internal market.
The Annex of the Transfers Directive defines the scope of products for which the Directive applies and mirrors the Common Military List of the European Union.
As the Council regularly updates the Common Military List and the most recent update being on 20 February 2023, the Commission followed by amending the Directive through Directive (EU) 2024/242. Member States had until 31 May 2024 to transpose Directive (EU) 2024/242. Denmark, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Finland have not notified national measures for transposing Directive (EU) 2024/242 by the set deadline.
The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to the concerned Member States, which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
Source – EU Commission