The European Commission has sent
a reasoned opinion, the second stage of infringement
proceedings, to Hungary, asking the country to ensure that
national measures on wood and coal products for the energy
sector comply with EU law.
After declaring a state of emergency due to the energy crisis
in July last year, Hungary approved measures to introduce prior
notification systems that allow authorities to block the export
of energy carriers. The Commission considers the steps
equivalent to quantitative restrictions on exports in the
internal market, violating Article 35 of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the EU (TFEU).
The EU executive also disputes that the Hungarian authorities
took these measures after notification without allowing other
member states and the Commission to provide feedback, violating
the standstill period provided by the Single Market Transparency
Directive.
Moreover, the restriction, which also applies to exports from
Hungary to third countries, affects trade with those countries.
Hungary has two months to take the necessary measures to comply
with the reasoned opinion. If it fails to do so, the Commission
could decide to refer Hungary to the EU Court of Justice.
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