Arthur Rogers/Strasbourg, France

A furious row between the European Parliament and the European Commission has stalled plans for further restrictions on use of fluorinated gases in the European Union.

Legislation was due to be approved by the European Parliament on 5 April, but the Commission raised last-minute objections to provisions agreed between the Parliament and EU environment ministers allowing Austria and Denmark to maintain until 2013 national laws already stricter than the proposed EU curbs.

The Commission said the agreement infringes the Commission's treaty-protected legislative powers.

Moreover, the Commission refused to say whether infringement proceedings against Austria and Denmark would be abandoned. The Commission argues that the contested national laws represent barriers to free trade in goods containing fluorinated gases permitted elsewhere in Europe.

MEPs have postponed their vote.