ECHA (Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) - Judgment) French Text [2024] EUECJ C-256/23 (05 September 2024)

ECHA (Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) - Judgment) French Text [2024] EUECJ C-256/23 (05 September 2024)

ECHA cannot bring enforcement actions for pecuniary obligations before EU courts under Article 94(1) REACH, as this provision does not extend jurisdiction beyond annulment actions under Article 263 TFEU. ECHA decisions imposing pecuniary obligations do not constitute enforceable titles under Article 299(1) TFEU,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2024] EUECJ C-256/23
Parties
Applicant: Agence européenne des produits chimiques (ECHA); Respondent: Hallertauer Hopfenveredelungsges. m.b. H.; Respondent: B. GmbH; Intervener: Regierung von Niederbayern; Intervener: Gouvernement hellénique; Intervener: Gouvernement polonais; Intervener: Commission européenne
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Ruling (joined Cases C 256/23 and C 290/23) / Final Judgment
Outcome
Preliminary questions answered; ECHA cannot enforce pecuniary obligations before EU courts; ECHA decisions are not enforceable titles under Article 299(1) TFEU; ECHA may seek enforcement before national courts.
Legal Topics
REACH Regulation, EU Agency Powers, Enforcement of Pecuniary Obligations, Jurisdiction of EU and National Courts, Execution of Administrative Decisions
European Union Law Administrative Law REACH Regulation EU Agency Powers Enforcement of Pecuniary Obligations Jurisdiction of EU and National Courts Execution of Administrative Decisions

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Parties

Agence européenne des produits chimiques (ECHA)

Applicant

Hallertauer Hopfenveredelungsges. m.b. H.

Respondent

B. GmbH

Respondent

Regierung von Niederbayern

Intervener

Gouvernement hellénique

Intervener

Gouvernement polonais

Intervener

Commission européenne

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Ruling (joined Cases C 256/23 and C 290/23) / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether ECHA can bring enforcement actions for pecuniary obligations before EU courts under Article 94(1) REACH.
  2. 2 Whether ECHA decisions imposing pecuniary obligations constitute enforceable titles under Article 299(1) TFEU.
  3. 3 Whether national courts are competent to enforce ECHA's pecuniary decisions.

Ratio Decidendi

ECHA cannot bring enforcement actions for pecuniary obligations before EU courts under Article 94(1) REACH, as this provision does not extend jurisdiction beyond annulment actions under Article 263 TFEU. ECHA decisions imposing pecuniary obligations do not constitute enforceable titles under Article 299(1) TFEU, which applies only to acts of the Council, Commission, and ECB. National courts are competent to enforce such obligations, and Regulation 340/2008 does not preclude ECHA from seeking enforcement before national courts if administrative fees are unpaid.

Court Disposition

Preliminary questions answered; ECHA cannot enforce pecuniary obligations before EU courts; ECHA decisions are not enforceable titles under Article 299(1) TFEU; ECHA may seek enforcement before national courts.

Orders

  • Article 94(1) REACH does not allow ECHA to bring enforcement actions before EU courts.
  • Article 299(1) TFEU does not apply to ECHA decisions; such decisions are not enforceable titles under that provision.