Air quality
National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC)
The National Emission Ceilings Directive sets ceilings for each Member State for emissions of ammonia, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These four pollutants are primarily responsible for acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone. The ceilings must be met by 2010.
EU Air Quality Directives
The Air Quality Framework Directive (96/62/EC) on ambient air quality assessment and management defines the policy framework for 12 air pollutants known to have a harmful effect on human health and the environment.
The limit values for the specific pollutants are set through a series of Daughter Directives.
Directive 1999/30/EC (the 1st Daughter Directive) sets limit values (values not to be exceeded) for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter (dust) and lead in ambient air.
Directive 2000/69/EC (the 2nd Daughter Directive) establishes limit values for concentrations of benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air.
Directive 2002/3/EC (the 3rd Daughter Directive) establishes long-term objectives, target values, an alert threshold and an information threshold for concentrations of ozone in ambient air.
Directive 2004/107/EC (the 4th Daughter Directive) establishes a target value for the concentration of arsenic, cadmium, nickel and benzo(a)pyrene in ambient air so as to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects of arsenic, cadmium, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on human health and the environment as a whole
The Air Quality Standards Regulations 2007 came into force on 15 February 2007, replacing the previous Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2003 that gave effect to the provisions of Air Quality Framework; First; Second; and Third Air Quality Directives; and give effect to the latest Fourth Air Quality Daughter Directive too. The new Regulations apply to England with the exception of Regulation 29 (relating to reporting requirements) which applies to the entire UK.
A new air quality directive came into force in June 2008, and will be transposed into national legislation by June 2010.
Key points to note are that it:
- consolidates existing air quality legislation apart from the 4th Daughter Directive, which will be brought within the new Directive at a later date;
- provides a new regulatory framework for PM2.5; and
- makes provision for extended compliance deadlines for NO2 and PM10.
Page last modified: 8 July 2008