IP/07/1535
Brussels, 17th October 2007
European Electronic Toll System: Commission refers Denmark to Court of Justice
The European Commission today decided to take legal action against Denmark, for failure to transpose EU legislation on European electronic road toll systems. The Directive lays down the conditions to be met for the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the EU. It applies to the electronic collection of all types of road fees on the European road network. According to the referral decision, Denmark has an additional three months to bring into force the laws necessary to comply with the European rules. If there are no satisfactory measures taken within this deadline, the Commission will refer the matter to the European Court of Justice
The Directive[1], which should have been implemented by 20 November 2005, paves the way for interoperable electronic toll payment systems, requiring that all new systems put in place as from 1 January 2007 use at least one of the existing technologies.
Today, the different tolling technologies used across Europe are not compatible with each other. It means that hauliers operating all over Europe must equip their vehicle with several on board units, depending on the national tolling systems being used. An operational European electronic toll system will allow driving all over Europe with one single on board unit compatible with all European tolling systems.
A reasoned opinion was addressed to Denmark in July 2006, which has not adopted since then the necessary measures to comply with the EU legislation.
[1] Directive 2004/52/EC of 29 April 2004 on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the Community (text with EEA relevance, OJ L166, 30.4.2004, p. 124).
