The European Commission has requested Italy to fully implement the Passengers’ rights Regulation for sea and inland waterways services/cruises to and from Italian ports, ESPO said in its press release.
Italy has not yet set up a national authority to handle complaints from passengers and to enforce the Regulation. Furthermore, Italy has failed to lay down rules on penalties in case of breaches of the Regulation.
The Regulation sets out the rights of passengers travelling by sea and inland waterways in the EU and it became applicable on 18 December 2012, date by which all Member States were bound by law to fulfil the above mentioned requirements. The request has been sent in the form of a 'reasoned opinion' under the EU infringement procedures. Italy has two months to notify the Commission of the measures taken to apply the regulation correctly, otherwise the Commission may decide to refer Italy the EU's Court of Justice.