The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive entered into force, aligning 2030 EU air quality standards more closely with World Health Organization recommendations. It is an important step toward better protecting Europeans' health and moving forward on the path to zero pollution in our environment by 2050. The revised Directive comes with a series of new measures and stricter standards to ensure that people enjoy cleaner air in the coming years.
The new Directive cuts the allowed annual limit value for the?main air pollutant?– fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - by more than half. The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive updates air quality standards, lowering the allowable levels for twelve air pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and lead.
The revised Directive will also ensure?early action to achieve cleaner air. If air pollution levels are higher than the new 2030 standards over the coming years, Member States will have to analyse whether they are on track to comply with the legislation on time, and, if needed, take measures to ensure compliance by 2030.
It will also support local authorities by strengthening the provisions on air quality monitoring?and?modelling and help improve?air quality plans. The improved rules on air quality monitoring and modelling will make it possible to assess compliance more thoroughly with standards and support more efficient and effective action to prevent and address breaches of standards.
Under specific circumstances, Member States may get more time to achieve the new standards. Extensions must be justified by sound analysis, and accompanied by a bespoke roadmap demonstrating how air quality will be improved by the postponed attainment deadlines. Accordingly, Member States will need to take appropriate measures to ensure they respect air quality standards as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the revised legislation will ensure that people suffering from health damages due to air pollution have the right to be compensated, in the case of a violation of EU air quality rules. ?It will also bring more clarity on access to justice, effective penalties, and better public information on air quality and its effects on human health.
Member States now have two years to adopt the laws, regulations and administrative provisions to transpose the revised Directive. The Commission will adopt secondary legislation (implementing acts) to complement the new rules and assist with their application.
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