Air

A clean air supply is essential to our own health and that of the environment. But since the industrial revolution, the quality of the air we breathe has deteriorated considerably - mainly as a result of human activities. Rising industrial and energy production, the burning of fossil fuels and the dramatic rise in traffic on our roads all contribute to air pollution in our towns and cities which, in turn, can lead to serious health problems. For example, air pollution is increasingly being cited as the main cause of lung conditions such as asthma - twice as many people suffer from asthma today compared to 30 years ago.

The issue of air quality is still a major concern for many European citizens. It is also one of the areas in which the European Union has been most active. Since the early 1970s, the EU has been working to improve air quality by controlling emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, improving fuel quality, and by integrating environmental protection requirements into the transport and energy sectors.

As the result of EU legislation, much progress has been made in tackling air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and benzene. However, despite a reduction in some harmful emissions, air quality continues to cause problems. Summer smog - originating in potentially harmful ground-level ozone - regularly exceeds safe limits. Fine particulates also present a health risk which is of increasing concern. Clearly, more needs to be done at local, national, European and international level.

You will find more information on EU legislation and other EU initiatives in the area of air quality, air emissions and  transport-related air policy measures.

Air Pollution Policy Review 2011-2013

The European Commission is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of EU air policy, building on the 2005 Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution and Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) initiative. Find out more about the Air Policy Review here.

2013 Year of Air Events

Date	2013 Year of Air Events
8 January	EEB Conference on air pollution
30-31 January	EC/WHO/HEI Workshop on health impacts of air pollution
March and September	European Mobility Week
15 April	Irish Presidency Scientific Conference on Air Pollution (preparation for informal council)
22 April	Irish Presidency Informal Council in Dublin:  informal high-level discussion on key policy options
23-24 May	Eco-innovation Forum on Urban Air Quality
4-7 June	Green Week: focus on air policy review
End September	Launch of the air review package EEA AQ report published
December 2013	High-level Air Quality Meeting, Geneva Review of the EU Air policy Introduction European air pollution policy has a long history and some notable successes to its name.  The most recent wave of policy was launched in 2005 with the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution designed to make substantial progress towards the long-term EU objective: "to achieve levels of air quality that do not result in unacceptable impacts on, and risks to, human health and the environment." This objective, first set in the Sixth Environment Action Programme a decade ago, is confirmed in the recently-adoptedProposal for a new EU Environment Action Programme to 2020. And we still have a way to go to achieve it. The time is ripe for a thoroughgoing review to assess the effectiveness of existing policy and plan for the future.  The College of Commissioners gave a mandate for a review in January 2011, recognising the pressing need for action to improve air quality, which is a shared responsibility requiring our joint efforts. The mandate focused on a number of immediate measures plus a requirement for a comprehensive review of EU's air policy by 2013 at the latest. Some of the immediate measures have been completed: The revision of the Directive on sulphur content of bunker fuels has been recently adopted; The revision of the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol establishing international controls on air pollution has been successfully negotiated. Others are ongoing: the recent Cars 2020 Communication set out a timetable for the successful implementation of the Euro 6 vehicle standards in real-world driving conditions, and the revision of the Non-road Mobile Machinery legislationis also scheduled for 2013. For the review of air pollution policy, the Commission is currently conducting a broad consultation process with the organisation of a series of Stakeholder Expert Groups in 2011 and 2012, involving a wide range of participants from Member States, industry, NGOs and international stakeholders. The Stakeholder Expert Group The first Stakeholder Expert Group was held on 6/7 June 2011, the second on 19/20 January 2012, the third on 21 June 2012, and the fourth on 5 December 2012.  The three most recent meetings have been webstreamed and the links are provided below.  The fifth Stakeholder Expert Group is scheduled to be held on 3 April 2013. The link to webstreaming will be available on the day of the meeting. 03/04/2013 5th Stakeholder Expert Group 05/12/2012 4th Stakeholder Expert Group 21/06/2012 3rd Stakeholder Expert Group 20/01/2012 2nd Stakeholder Expert Group, second day 19/01/2012 2nd Stakeholder Expert Group, first day Presentations and documents from all meetings are publically available through a dedicated CIRCA library. There you will increasingly find additional information relevant for the wider air policy review process. We will continue to keep you updated on the review process through this portal. Public consultation Second online consultation on the policy options for the review of the EU Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution and related policies. This follows the initial scoping consultation and is divided in two parts – a short questionnaire for the general public and a longer section for experts and practitioners. The online consultation closed on 4 March 2013. Consultation report will be posted soon. Questionnaires Final report of first online consultation is available. The first public consultation, on the scope of the review, was launched on 30 June 2011. You can find the report of the consultation responses here: Main results Detailed results Press releases Statement by Environment Commissioner on air quality - Press MEMO 18/1/2011 Commission launches consultation on improving EU air quality policy - Press Release IP/11/813 - 30/06/2011 Launch of EEA's "Air Quality in Europe" 2012 report - Press Release SPEECH/12/635 - 24/09/2012 New rules on cleaner fuels for shipping will deliver benefits for people's health - Press Release IP/12/1375 - 17/12/2012 Air pollution in Europe - EuroparlTV - 07/12/2012 Meeting the challenge of protecting our health and environment - Press Release SPEECH/13/4 Europeans call for stronger EU air quality policy - Press Release IP/13/6 Newly found health effects of air pollution call for stronger EU air policies - Press Release IP/13/72 Supporting documents Policy debate on the revision of the Directive setting National Emission Ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants- PV(2011)1944 of College debate Review of EU Air Quality Policy - Commission Staff Working Document (SEC(2011)342)  Emissions from agriculture and their control potentials - TSAP Report #3 The potential for further controls of emissions from mobile sources in Europe - TSAP Report #4 Modelling compliance with NO2 and PM10 air quality limit values in the GAINS model - TSAP Report #9 Contacts If you have any questions on the review or on the consultation process, please contact us. Air Quality Air pollution has been one of Europe's main political concerns since the late 1970s. European Union policy on air quality  aims to develop and implement appropriate instruments to improve air quality. The control of emissions from mobile sources, improving fuel quality and  promoting and integrating environmental protection requirements into the transport and energy sector are part of these aims. The Sixth Environment Action Programme (EAP), "Environment 2010: Our future, Our choice", includes Environment and Health as one of the four main target areas where new effort is needed. Air pollution is one of the issues included under Environment and Health. Whilst overall air quality trends in the Community are encouraging, continued efforts and vigilance are still needed. The objective considered in the Sixth Environment Action Programme is to achieve levels of air quality that do not give rise to unacceptable impacts on, and risks to, human health and the environment. The Community is acting at many levels to reduce exposure to air pollution: through EC legislation, through work at the wider international level in order to reduce cross-border pollution, through working with sectors responsible for air pollution and with national, regional authorities and NGOs, and through research. The focus for the next ten years will be implementation of air quality standards and coherency of all air legislation and related policy initiatives. Background information on pollutants and their effects on health can be found in the Air Quality Guidelines of the WHO and information on other air pollution effects and data can be obtained from the EEA. Feedback Air Pollution policy is characterised by transparency both in the day-to-day proceedings and in the way research data and technical analysis are used for policy developments. Stakeholders have  the opportunity here to present evidence and comments, giving as much clarification as possible about the technical justification and political motivation behind them. If you have any questions about air pollution policy or ideas about how to improve this site please send us a message. Other relevant pages Transport hot spots - people at risk close to transport infrastructure Emissions of Air Pollutants The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) Transport and Environment Fact Sheets Air Quality Standards Humans can be adversely affected by exposure to air pollutants in ambient air. In response, the European Union has developed an extensive body of legislation which establishes health based standards and objectives for a number of pollutants in air. These standards and objectives are summarised in the table below. These apply over differing periods of time because the observed health impacts associated with the various pollutants occur over different exposure times. Pollutant Concentration Averaging period Legal nature Permitted exceedences each year Fine particles (PM2.5) 25 µg/m3*** 1 year Target value entered into force 1.1.2010 Limit value enters into force 1.1.2015 n/a Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 350 µg/m3 1 hour Limit value entered into force 1.1.2005 24 125 µg/m3 24 hours Limit value entered into force 1.1.2005 3 Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 200 µg/m3 1 hour Limit value entered into force 1.1.2010 18 40 µg/m3 1 year Limit value entered into force 1.1.2010* n/a PM10 50 µg/m3 24 hours Limit value entered into force 1.1.2005** 35 40 µg/m3 1 year Limit value entered into force 1.1.2005** n/a Lead (Pb) 0.5 µg/m3 1 year Limit value entered into force 1.1.2005 (or 1.1.2010 in the immediate vicinity of specific, notified industrial sources; and a 1.0 µg/m3 limit value applied from 1.1.2005 to 31.12.2009) n/a Carbon monoxide (CO) 10 mg/m3 Maximum daily 8 hour mean Limit value entered into force 1.1.2005 n/a Benzene 5 µg/m3 1 year Limit value entered into force 1.1.2010** n/a Ozone 120 µg/m3 Maximum daily 8 hour mean Target value entered into force 1.1.2010 25 days averaged over 3 years Arsenic (As) 6 ng/m3 1 year Target value enters into force 31.12.2012 n/a Cadmium (Cd) 5 ng/m3 1 year Target value enters into force 31.12.2012 n/a Nickel (Ni) 20 ng/m3 1 year Target value enters into force 31.12.2012 n/a Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons 1 ng/m3 (expressed as  concentration of Benzo(a)pyrene) 1 year Target value enters into force 31.12.2012 n/a *Under the new Directive the member State can apply for an extension of up to five years (i.e. maximum up to 2015) in a specific zone. Request is subject to assessment by the Commission. . In such cases within the time extension period the limit value applies at the level of the limit value + maximum margin of tolerance ( 48 µg/m3 for annual NO2 limit value). **Under the new Directive the Member State was able to apply for an extension until three years after the date of entry into force of the new Directive (i.e. May 2011) in a specific zone. Request was subject to assessment by the Commission. In such cases within the time extension period the limit value applies at the level of the limit value + maximum margin of tolerance (35 days at 75µg/m3 for daily PM10 limit value, 48 µg/m3 for annual Pm10 limit value). ***Standard introduced by the new Directive. Under EU law a limit value is legally binding from the date it enters into force subject to any exceedances permitted by the legislation. A target value is to be attained as far as possible by the attainment date and so is less strict than a limit value. The new Directive is introducing additional PM2.5 objectives targetting the exposure of the population to fine particles. These objectives are set at the national level and are based on the average exposure indicator (AEI). AEI is determined as a 3-year running annual mean PM2.5 concentration averaged over the selected monitoring stations in agglomerations and larger urban areas, set in urban background locations to best assess the PM2.5 exposure to the general population. Title Metric Averaging period Legal nature Permitted exceedences each year PM2.5 Exposure concentration obligation 20 µg/m3 (AEI) Based on 3 year average Legally binding in 2015 (years 2013,2014,2015) n/a PM2.5 Exposure reduction target Percentage reduction* + all measures to reach 18 µg/m3 (AEI) Based on 3 year average Reduction to be attained where possible in 2020, determined on the basis of the value of exposure indicator in 2010 n/a * Depending on the value of AEI in 2010, a percentage reduction requirement ( 0,10,15, or 20%) is set in the Directive. If AEI in 2010 is assessed to be over 22 µg/m3, all appropriate measures need to be taken to achieve 18 µg/m3 by 2020. Principles European legislation on air quality is built on certain principles. The first of these is that the Member States divide their territory into a number of zones and agglomerations. In these zones and agglomerations, the Member States should undertake assessments of air pollution levels using measurements and modelling and other empirical techniques. Where levels are elevated, the Member States should prepare an air quality plan or programme to ensure compliance with the limit value before the date when the limit value formally enters into force. In addition, information on air quality should be disseminated to the public. See more under Implementation.  Air Quality - Existing Legislation A substantial body of Community legislation has been adopted by the Council and the European Parliament in relation to ambient air quality. This is summarised below and links provided lead to the relevant documents. New Air quality directive The new Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe entered into force on 11 June 2008. Commission press release upon adoption by Council on 14 April 2008 This new Directive includes the following key elements: The merging of most of existing legislation into a single directive (except for the fourth daughter directive) with no change to existing air quality objectives* New air quality objectives for PM2.5 (fine particles) including the limit value and exposure related objetives – exposure concentration obligation and exposure reduction target The possibility to discount natural sources of pollution when assessing compliance against limit values The possibility for time extensions of three years (PM10) or up to five years (NO2, benzene) for complying with limit values, based on conditions and the assessment by the European Commission. * Framework Directive 96/62/EC, 1-3 daughter Directives 1999/30/EC, 2000/69/EC, 2002/3/EC, and Decision on Exchange of Information 97/101/EC. Adoption procedure : The Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on ambient air quality at the same time as it adopted the thematic strategy on air pollution. Proposal for a directive: COM(2005) 447 final Impact Assessment: SEC(2005) 1133 The progress of this legislative file through the co-decision can be followed at the following link. The Member States have 2 years to transpose the new Directive, until then the existing legislation applies. Some provisions of the new Directive such as PM2.5 monitoring requirements have to be implemented sooner. It is expected that the provision enabling notifications of postponements or exemptions in respect of the limit values for PM10, NO2 or benzene will be applied before the end of the 2 year transposition deadline. Other Legislation 1. Council Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality assessment and management is commonly referred to as the Air Quality Framework Directive. It describes the basic principles as to how air quality should be assessed and managed in the Member States. It lists the pollutants for which air quality standards and objectives will be developed and specified in legislation. 2. Council Directive 1999/30/EC relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air. The directive was is the so-called "First Daughter Directive". The directive describes the numerical limits and thresholds required to assess and manage air quality for the pollutants mentioned. It addresses both PM10 and PM2.5 but only establishes monitoring requirements for fine particles. 3. Directive 2000/69/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air. This was the Second Daughter Directive and established the numerical criteria relating to the assessment and management of benzene and carbon monoxide in air. 4. Directive 2002/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to ozone in ambient air. This was theThird Daughter Directive and established target values and long term objectives for the concentration of ozone in air. Ozone is a secondary pollutant formed in the atmosphere by the chemical reaction of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides ion the presence of sunlight. As such the directive also describes certain monitoring requirements relating to volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in air. 5. Directive 2004/107/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air. This is the Fourth Daughter Directive and completes the list of pollutants initially described in the Framework Directive. Target values for all pollutants except mercury are defined for the listed substances, though for PAHs, the target is defined in terms of concentration of benzo(a)pyrene which is used as a marker substance for PAHs generally. Only monitoring requirements are specified for mercury. 6. Council Decision 97/101/EC establishing a reciprocal exchange of information and data from networks and individual stations measuring ambient air pollution within the Member States. This "EoI Decision" describes the procedures for the dissemination of air quality monitoring information by the Member States to the Commission and to the public. 7. Commission Decision 2004/461/EC laying down a questionnaire for annual reporting on ambient air quality assessment under Council Directives 96/62/EC and 1999/30/EC and under Directives 2000/69/EC and 2002/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. This decision specifies the format and content of Member States' Annual Report on ambient air quality in their territories. Important Case Law The Commission welcomes the preliminary ruling and the recognition by the Court of Justice that individual citizens have the right under the air quality Directive (96/62/EC) to require national competent authorities to draw up a short term action plan with the aim of maintaining or achieving compliance with the air quality limit values. Press release Judgement Public information The directives require Member States to ensure that up-to-date information on ambient concentrations of the different pollutants is routinely made available to the public as well as to other organisations. This is done by providing information on websites, teletext, in press and also by public displays. The information needs to be updated as appropriate to the averaging periods. The relation to the different limit and target values needs to be clear. When information or alert thresholds are exceeded Member States need to inform the public about the exceedance and the actions that are eventually taken. This obligation is prescribed in detail in the differentdirectives. On the Community level a number of sources exist that provide information to the public. Several important databases concerning air quality are managed by the European Environment Agency (EEA). AirBase is the public air quality database system of the EEA based on the information from the continuous monitoring of air quality, collected under the Exchange of Information Decision 97/101/EC and the EEA priority data flows. It contains information submitted by the participating countries throughout Europe. The database on ozone contains a lot of information about ozone exceedances in summer. The EEA has developed a website to provide the public with Europe-wide near real time data on ozone. The website also contains multiple links to national and regional air quality websites. The CDR contains a collection of documents delivered by each country, concerning various topics, including air quality.   Zones and agglomerations in exceedance of limit values for public health 2005 List of zones in EU Member States in relation to air quality thresholds 2006 List of zones in EU Member States in relation to air quality thresholds 2007 List of zones in EU Member States in relation to air quality thresholds 2008 List of zones in EU Member States in relation to air quality thresholds 2009 Preliminary List of zones in EU Member States in relation to air quality thresholds (note: yellow = missing info, grey = descrepency between zone status and assessment information; subtraction for natural events not included) Maps of zones and agglomerations in exceedance of limit values for public health Implementation of ambient air quality legislation Zoning The EU air quality legislation requires the Member States to report on zones designated under the Framework Directive on ambient air quality. Maps of the air quality zones in the EU are also available here: part I: Zones EU Member States except Germany part II: Zones Germany Information on zoning and the concentrations in the zones in comparison to air quality objectives is provided through an annual assessment reporting . Work in progress In order to be able to aggregate and use zoning information by GIS system, a new reporting of zones is being developed under the new Directive. Assessment 1) Understanding the problem Position papers Understanding impact of individual pollutants, their sources and evolution of concentrations helps develop the policy and supports effective abatement. Pollutants covered by 1st Daughter Directive 1999/30/EC Position paper on NO2 (pdf ~840K) Position paper on Pb (pdf ~660K) Position paper on SO2 (pdf ~370K) Second Position Paper on Particulate Matter (Dec 2004) and the first Position paper on PM10 (pdf ~440K) Pollutants covered by 2nd Daughter Directive 2000/69/EC Position paper on CO (pdf ~360K) Position paper on Benzene (pdf ~360K) Ozone, covered by 3rd Daughter Directive 2002/3/EC Ozone position paper (pdf ~1.5M) Pollutants covered by 4th Daughter Directive 2004/107/EC Position Paper on As, Cd and Ni  (pdf ~1900K) , and Annexes (pdf  ~200K) Position Paper on PAH  (pdf ~300K)  and Annexes (pdf  ~550K) Position paper on Mercury (pdf format) Table of contents (~60K) Executive Summary (~80K) Recommendation and working group members (~80K) Chapter 1 (~170K) Chapter 2 (~200/900K) Chapter 3, figures 1, figures 2 (~200/2,000/3,200K) Chapter 4 (~290K) Chapter 5 (~210K) Chapter 6 (~250K) Chapter 7 (~130K) 2) Methods Methods and criteria The Framework Directive, as well as its Daughter Directives, requires the assessment of the ambient air quality existing in Member States on the basis of common methods and criteria. In the Directives, the minimum assessments requirements are written. They are linked to the specific concentration thresholds as well as the population within each air quality zone or agglomeration. While in specific cases continuous monitoring is mandated, modelling is always encouraged in order to provide better information on spatial distribution of concentrations. The Commission with the extensive support of the national experts in Working Group on Implementation has prepared several guidances to facilitate implementation of these provisions: Guidance report on Preliminary Assessment under EC Air Quality Directives (pdf ~1,100K) Guidance on Assessment under the EU Air Quality Directives (pdf ~520K). In order to ensure comparability between measurements of PM10 from the 1st Daughter Directive, the Commission prepared the following guidance: Guidance to Member States on PM10 monitoring and intercomparisons with the reference method, also available in Spanish  (pdf ~370Kb) Regarding the 3rd Daughter Directive relating to ozone, the Commission has prepared guidance for implementing this directive. Annex III includes guidance on strategy for measurement of ozone precursors in ambient air as requested in the 3rd Daughter Directive: Decision 2004/279/EC, guidance for implementing the ozone directive Another note was prepared by the Working Group on Implementation on point sources: Air Quality assessment around point sources (pdf~20K) When monitoring is being used for the assessment, it is extremely important to select appropriately the siting of the monitoring station. Siting has bearing on the ability to use the monitoring information to assess compliance in the specific area and to obtain further information as regards exposure, source apportionment that supports further development of air policy as well as air pollution management in the area. The EU Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC requires that as a minimum one rural background station is installed every 100 000 km2 for measuring PM2.5 in order to get data on the total mass concentration and the chemical speciation. This minimum is larger than the total surface area of several Member States. The Directive further states that Member States shall set up at least one measuring station or may by agreement with adjoining Member States set up together one or several common measuring stations. This document provides guidance to Member States regarding the selection and implementation of these stations. Commission Staff Working Paper establishing guidelines for the agreements on setting up common measuring stations for PM2.5 under Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. The Directive 2008/50/EC provides Member States with the possibility to subtract the contribution of natural sources under certain conditions before comparing the ambient air pollutant concentrations to the limit values. This document aims to give guidance on which sources can be regarded as natural in this context and on methods to quantify and subtract the contribution of these sources: Commission Staff Working Paper establishing guidelines for demonstration and subtraction of exceedances attributable to natural sources under the Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe Member States may under the Directive 2008/50/EC indicate that for designated zones or agglomerations within which limit values for PM10 are exceeded in ambient air such exceedance is due to the re-suspension of particulates following winter sanding or salting of roads. This document recommends methods for the determination of the contributions of these processes to the ambient concentrations of PM: Commission Staff Working Paper establishing guidelines for determination of contributions from the re-suspension of particulates following winter sanding or salting of roads under the Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe Work in progress In 2007, a study has been conducted for the Commission by the UBA that would facilitate more harmonized approach to monitoring stations. The interim report of this study can be downloaded here: Interim report on representativeness and classification of air quality monitoring stations (pdf ~6,6Mb) The Commission is reviewing and updating the available guidance documents, where considered necessary in order to include more recent implementation experience and potential new elements brought forward through the new revised legislation. Reference measurement methods For each regulated pollutant a reference measurement method has been prescribed. At the time of the adoption of directives standardised methods have not been developed for all pollutants. The situation has since developed, and an updated list of reference measurement method is now available, which is explicitly referenced in the new proposal for ambient air quality directive, but also available below. SO2: EN 14212:2005 NO2 and NOx: EN 14211:2005 Pb, Cd, As, Ni: EN 14902: 2005 PM10: EN 12341:1999 PM2,5: EN 14907:2005 Benzene: EN 14662:2005 CO: EN 14626:2005 The standards can be obtained through the national standardisation organisation. See http://www.cen.eu/cenorm/members/members/index.asp Work in progress The development of the new standards for pollutants under 4th daughter directive, as well as periodic review and potential revision of the developed standards continues under CEN Technical Committee 264. For organisation and work of CEN see www.cen.eu. In addition, the certified reference materials for calibration of measurements of heavy metals and PAH is currently being developed at JRC-IRMM. Feasibility report will be available in autumn 2007.  Equivalence Non-reference measurement methods can also be used provided they respect provisions for equivalence set out in the Directives (see for example 2008/50/EC, Annex VI). A  Commission Working Group on Equivalence has prepared a document describing principles and methodologies to be used for the demonstration of the equivalence of alternative (non-reference) measurement methods to the reference methods described by the EN Standard methods. This document has been discussed at a workshop in May 2007 in Ispra and subsequently updated. The air quality committee established under Directive 2008/50/EC has endorsed the new guidance for the implementation of the Directive 2008/50/EC: Guidance for the Demonstration of Equivalence of Ambient Air Monitoring Methods (pdf ~680Kb) from January 2010 The corresponding tool to facilitate the use of the guidance (in particular for checking the equivalence of non-reference methods for PM-monitoring) has been developed in MS-Excel. The updated version is now available below: Test the equivalence (xls) The template provides the formulas and macros with the statistical calculations needed. Modelling In the Directive modelling is considered to provide supplemental information to air quality monitoring, and to be used where modelling is not mandatory. Modelling is becoming a principal assessment tool that is validated by monitoring and provides much more comprehensive information as regards public exposure, supports identification of sources and future projections based on different measures scenarios. Use of modelling has been also developed under specific initiatives such as HARMO. Under the 6th Research Framework programme an Air4EU project has recently been concluded which facilitates combined use of monitoring and modelling for the air quality assessment through the developed guidance and IT tools. A Forum for AIR quality MODElling (FAIRMODE) of modellers and users has been established to support the widespread and harmonised use of models through model validation and intercomparison exercises and through the management of the modelling network. FAIRMODE webpage contains links to current activities. Objective estimation Objective estimation is reserved for the air quality zones with very good air quality and no large conurbations. It is usually combined with modelling. By identification of local pollution sources and information of regional air quality an estimation of concentration of a regulated pollutant is made. 3. Ensuring quality of assessment information Ensuring quality of assessment information either generated through monitoring, modelling or objective estimation is one of the paramount provisions of the directives. Data quality objectives are prescribed which define maximum allowed uncertainty, time coverage and data coverage. While Member States are responsible to ensure appropriate quality assurance of the assessment as well as the appropriate quality control of the information provided to the public and through the assessment reports, the Commission set-up a community-wide process, managed by the Joint Research Centre. JRC organises intercomparison exercises for the national reference laboratories and manages AQUILA – network of national reference laboratories which follows the implementation of assessment by monitoring, serves as exchange forum and provides expert advice to the Commission. AQUILA has recently prepared an extensive document that summarizes the roles and responsibilities of the national reference laboratories and of the network itself, describes the quality assurance procedures and EU-wide comparisons. Document also includes the interpretation of obligations for the national reference laboratories and the monitoring networks under the new Directive. Document received positive opinion when presented at the Air quality committee under the Directive on 1 July 2009. AQUILA - Roles and Requirements for Quality of Measurements European Environment Agency together with its Topic Centre is supporting the efforts through further quality control of the reported assessment information and through facilitating exchange of best practices by the data providers within EIONET. The new Directive does not significantly change provisions for the assessment, but does introduce some streamlining and further quality requirements and assessment requirements for fine particulate matter PM2.5. Assessment information is provided regularly to the public and reported annually. Management of air pollution Structural Plans and Programmes Member States need to ensure that limit values are complied with throughout the territory by their respective attainment dates, and that target values are respected to the extent possible (see Directives for specific legal obligation). Action is required before the attainment dates when certain assessment thresholds set in the Directives are exceeded, generating a requirement to prepare and implement air quality plans or programmes. Minimum requirements of such plan are given in the framework directive. Plan or programme need to be available to the public and reported to the Commission within 2 years after the exceedance has been assessed. To support implementation, the Commission working groups provided the following guidance: Guidance on drafting plans and programmes (pdf ~166K) By now extensive experience in preparation and implementation of plans and programmes is being generated. In 2004 the Commission organised a workshop on Plans and Programmes. The final report and other findings can be downloaded on the relevant CAFE webpage. In 2006, a study has been conducted for the Commission by UBA on Plans and Programmes reported under 1996/62/EC. The report of this study can be downloaded here: Report assessment of Plans and Programmes reported under 1996/62/EC (pdf ~2,1Mb) and Annex (pdf ~6Mb) In 2007, a study has been conducted for the Commission by TNO on Plans and Programmes. The draft report of this study can be downloaded here: Overview of reports on plans or programmes for reducing air pollution submitted under Decision 2004/224/EC (pdf~665Kb) In 2005, the European Environmental Bureau reviewed more than 30 air quality management plans from 30 cities, independent form the Commission. This report can be downloaded here: Particle reduction plans in Europe (pdf ~623kb) In 2007, a study was conducted for the Commission by AEA Energy & Environment on the impact of changes in the vehicle fleet and treatment technology on the attainment of the limit value for nitrogen dioxide. The report can be downloaded here: The impact of changes in vehicle fleet and treatment technology on the attainment of the ambient air quality limit value for nitrogen dioxide in 2010 (pdf ~1,6Mb) and annexes (pdf ~2,7Mb) In 2006, a study was conducted for the Commission by the European Environmental Agency and the European Topic Centre for Air and Climate Change on air quality and the ancillary benefits of climate change policies. The report can be downloaded here: Air quality and ancillary benefits of climate change policies (pdf ~3,7Mb) This CAFE webpage contains more links to relevant background documents. Short term Plans and Programmes After the attainment date, Member States shall draw up action plans indicating the measures that they will take in the short term where there is a risk of the limit values and/or alert thresholds being exceeded, in order to reduce that risk and to limit the duration of such an occurrence. The Working group on Implementation in 2003 also drafted guidance on needed action when exceeding an alert threshold: Necessity to prepare action plans to reduce the duration of exceedances of alert thresholds (Art 7(3), 96/62/EC)(pdf) In 2011, a study was conducted for the Commission by AEA Technology plc and Umweltbundesamt GmbH on the best practices on Short term action plans. The report can be downloaded here: Report on short term action plans Regarding the 3rd Daughter Directive relating to ozone, the Commission adopted Decision 2004/279/EC which includes in Annex I and II guidelines on general aspects of short term action plans as well as some examples and experience. This Commission Decision can be downloaded here: Decision 2004/279/EC, guidance for implementing the ozone directive In June 2012, a PM Workshop was organised in Brussels for the Commission by TNO in cooperation with UBA and AEA Technology. The presentations of the workshop can be downloaded here.