Single European Act Document type Multilateral Field of application Regional/restricted Date Feb 28, 1986 Source IUCN (ID: TRE-000896) Title (French) Acte unique européen Title (Spanish) Acta Única Europea Title (Other) Einheitliche Europäische Akte Place of adoption Luxembourg; The Hague Depository Italy Language English, French, German, Danish, Dutch, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, Spanish Entry into force Jul 1, 1987 Subject Environment gen., Wild species & ecosystems Geographical area European Union Countries Abstract Modification of the EEC, EURATOM and ECSC treaties and introduction of a Title VII dealing with environment Objectives: Inter alia, to add to Part Three of the EEC Treaty a Title VII empowering the Community to act in environmental matters with a view to preserving, protecting and improving the environment, to contributing towards protecting human health and to ensuring a prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources (art. 25). Summary of provisions: Parties agree to base their action relating to the environment on the following principles: preventive action, environmental damage to be rectified at source, and the 'ppp' (polluter pays principle). In preparing such action, Parties further agree to take into account, inter alia, scientific and technical data, potential costs and benefits of action or lack thereof, and the balanced development of the Community's regions. All action relating to the environment taken by the Community is to be done in accordance with the subsidiarity principle. Member States of the Community are also to co-operate with third countries and with the relevant international organisations. Full text English French Spanish Website itra.esteri.it europa.eu Country/Territory/Participant See Expanded View Show Map Countries Entry into force Ratification * Simple signature Belgium Jul 1, 1987 Aug 25, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Denmark Jul 1, 1987 Jun 13, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 France Jul 1, 1987 Dec 29, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Germany Jul 1, 1987 Dec 29, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Greece Jul 1, 1987 Dec 31, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Ireland Jul 1, 1987 Jun 24, 1987 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Italy Jul 1, 1987 Dec 30, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Luxembourg Jul 1, 1987 Dec 17, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Netherlands Jul 1, 1987 Dec 24, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Portugal Jul 1, 1987 Dec 31, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 Spain Jul 1, 1987 Dec 18, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 United Kingdom Jul 1, 1987 Nov 19, 1986 [1] Feb 28, 1986 * [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature reset zoom out zoom in References - Treaties Amended by Treaty on European Union (amended by the Treaty of Lisbon) Treaty | Multilateral | Maastricht | Feb 7, 1992 Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-001136) Other references Literature 62 records related to this treaty. View literature