The European Commission has sent formal warning letters to all 27 EU member states for failing to transpose new industrial and livestock emissions rules by the July 1, 2026 deadline. The countries now have two months to respond.

The updated Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive tightens pollution rules for large factories and intensive livestock farms. It promotes the strictest available emissions techniques, cuts hazardous chemicals, and for the first time gives citizens the right to seek compensation for health damage caused by illegal pollution.

The directive covers more than 50,000 industrial installations and extends to large pig and poultry farms. It also created an Innovation Centre for Industrial Transformation and Emissions to promote cleaner technologies.

If member states do not notify their full transposition within two months, the Commission may escalate by issuing reasoned opinions, the next step in EU infringement proceedings.

The case shows how hard the EU finds it to turn ambitious green laws into national action.