Desde 1986, la UE dispone de una legislación específica que regula la utilización de animales para fines científicos. El 22 de septiembre de 2010, la UE adoptó la Directiva 2010/63/UE, que actualiza y sustituye a la Directiva 86/609/CEE relativa a la protección de los animales utilizados para fines científicos. El objetivo de la nueva Directiva es reforzar la legislación y mejorar el bienestar de los animales que siguen siendo necesarios, así como para enraizar firmemente el principio de las 3 R (reemplazar, reducir y refinar) la utilización de animales, en la legislación de la UE. La Directiva 2010/63/UE entró plenamente en vigor el 1 de enero de 2013.

The ENV data and indicators catalogue brings together the data inventory of DG ENV with the library of indicators that are used in environment policy. The indicators library was created in the context of the preparation of the 8th Environment Action Programme but is designed to be useful for many other purposes. Indicators include those managed by EEA, ESTAT or JRC, where relevant but also indicators developed in the context of policy development or implementation (including reporting). For now, this tool is available for DG ENV but will be made successively also available to other services and agencies. It is a version under development (‘beta version’).

Article 5(2) of Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 relates to the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW). With 1995 as the reference year (100% by weight), BMW to landfill had to be reduced to 35% in 2016 (or 2020 in case of a derogation).