The Role of the European Commission in Soil Protection in the European Union
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54515/lcp.2025.1.149-159Keywords:
mechanism, institution, norm, EU law, supranationality, environment, legal regulationAbstract
The ongoing integration processes within the European Union are driving continued reforms and evolution of its institutions. At the same time, the institutional mechanism of the European Union itself has a complex structure that reflects the gradual nature of European integration. This article focuses on the legal basis for the functioning, organisation and activities of the European Commission in the field of soil protection. This institution enables the European Union to achieve its objectives and fulfil its tasks in this area of public policy.
The article highlights the peculiarities of the European Commission's activities and focuses on its relevant competence in the field of soil protection in the manner determined primarily by the founding treaties. A key role is attributed to the Lisbon Treaty, which reformed the institutional foundations of this supranational international organisation. At the same time, the institutional structure of the EU has a number of features due to its status as a supranational association, whose authority is strictly limited to the competences conferred by its Member States. The article also explores the specific features of the distribution of powers and responsibilities between EU institutions and the decision-making procedure of the European Commission in the field of soil protection. In particular, the study examines how the institutions of the European Union, acting within the framework of their prerogatives, implement policies in the field of environmental protection and soil as its integral part. The article provides a general overview of the EU as a supranational entity characterised by a unique distribution of powers. It outlines the features of the ordinary legislative procedure and clarifies the role of the European Commission within this process.
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