EU Reaches Agreement on New Air Quality Directive

December 12, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

This new measure merges four directives and one council decision into a single directive, for the first time setting binding standards for the fine particles known as PM2.5.

The negotiations between the two institutions focused particularly on setting standards and target dates on PM2.5, which, together with the coarser particles known as PM10 that are already subject to legislation, are among the most dangerous pollutants for the health of human beings.

Stavros Dimas, European Commission (EC) commissioner for the environment, welcomed the agreement, saying, "Air pollution causes major problems for the environment and the health of European citizens. Therefore, I am pleased that the agreement reached on air quality addresses this problem and provides ambitious, but realistic and timely standards for fine-particle PM2.5 pollution in the European Union."

The directive on air quality is one of the key measures outlined in the 2005 Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution, which was adopted by the EC in September 2005 (IP/05/1170) and which establishes ambitious, cost-effective targets for improving human health and environmental quality up to 2020.

Reducing fine-particle concentrations
In urban areas, member states will be required to reduce exposure levels to PM2.5 by an average of 20% by 2020, based on 2010 exposure levels. The final agreement introduces an additional condition that obliges member states to bring exposure levels below 20 micrograms/m3 by 2015 in these areas. Throughout their territory, member states will need to respect the PM2.5 limit value set at 25 micrograms/m3. This value must be achieved by 2015 or, where possible, by 2010.

Flexibility in meeting air quality standards
The new directive will not change the existing air quality standards, but would give member states more flexibility in meeting some of these standards in areas where they have difficulty complying. Meeting PM10 limit values is proving challenging for 26 of the 27 EU member states, which are exceeding these limits in at least one part of their territory.

Under the agreed-upon text, the deadlines for complying with these standards can be postponed up to the three years after the directive's entry into force (mid-2011), provided that the relevant EU legislation, such as the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control directive (see MEMO/07/441), is fully implemented and all appropriate abatement measures are being taken. The directive provides a list of measures that need to be considered.

European-level measures are important to effectively reduce emissions. Upon final approval by the council, the new directive will be published in the EU's Official Journal alongside an EC declaration on progress in developing and adopting further measures, as outlined by the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution. A review of the directive by 2013 is required.

Source: European Commission.