View source for L. EU Ambient Air Quality Directives

The European Union's Ambient Air Quality Directives address outdoor air quality within the troposphere, excluding indoor environments and workplaces subject to health and safety at work regulations. These directives, implemented since the 1980s, set air quality standards in the European Union for 12 pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), ozone, benzene, lead, carbon monoxide, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and benzo(a)pyrene (RL9). The core objectives of these directives aim to avoid, prevent, or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment, with a focus on providing safe and healthy outdoor air.

The EU proposed revisions to the Ambient Air Quality Directives in 2022, aligning air quality standards with World Health Organisation recommendations, and aiming to achieve zero pollution for air by 2050. The revisions involve regular reviews of air quality standards, enhanced legal clarity, and support for local authorities in achieving cleaner air. The proposal is designed to provide greater clarity, access to justice, and better public information on air quality, alongside strengthening air quality monitoring and modelling efforts. While these directives have significantly improved outdoor air quality, they specifically pertain to outdoor air quality and not IAQ126, although the Zero Pollution Action Plan does allude to IAQ. 

Despite extensive policies, the European Union lacks a comprehensive European level legislative framework specifically addressing IAQ127. Recognising the need for a more holistic approach to air pollution, there is a call for coherent and mutually reinforcing policies, ensuring health, safety, chemical, and building regulations are effectively aligned128. While these directives contribute significantly to outdoor air quality improvement, they remain separate from any EU-wide initiatives addressing IAQ challenges.


'''Timeline of Ambient Air Quality Directives'''
 
•	Directive 2004/107/EC relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air.

•	Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe.

•	2011/850/EU: Commission Implementing Decision of 12 December 2011 laying down rules for Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the reciprocal exchange of information and reporting on ambient air quality.

•	Commission Directive (EU) 2015/1480 amending several annexes to Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC.


'''EU Ambient Air Quality Directive Revision (2022)'''

On 26 October 2022, as part of the European Green Deal, the Commission proposed a revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives, which focuses exclusively on outdoor air quality standards. This revision aligns air quality standards more closely with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, including a reduction by over half in the annual limit value for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) (RL9). It's important to note that, similar to the existing Ambient Air Quality Directives, this revision specifically addresses outdoor air quality and does not encompass indoor air quality regulations. The proposal sets the EU on a path to achieve zero air pollution by 2050 and includes provisions for regular air quality standard reviews based on the latest scientific evidence. The revision also enhances the legal framework for access to justice, damage redress, penalties, and public information related to air quality. It aims to better support local authorities by strengthening air quality monitoring, modelling, and plans, while streamlining and simplifying the directives129. It's worth mentioning that while this revision doesn't cover indoor air quality directly, the broader Zero Pollution Action Plan alludes to the significance of indoor air quality considerations.


=== ''' References ''' ===

126 The European Commission, “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Empty: Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All: EU Action Plan: Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil,” the European Commission, 12 May 2021. Available online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0400&qid=1623311742827 

127 European Parliament resolution of 25 March 2021 on the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directives: Directive 2004/107/EC and Directive 2008/50/EC (2020/2091(INI)). Available online: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air/air-quality/revision-ambient-air-quality-directives_en

128 European Parliament resolution of 25 March 2021 on the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directives: Directive 2004/107/EC and Directive 2008/50/EC (2020/2091(INI)). Available online: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air/air-quality/revision-ambient-air-quality-directives_en

129 The European Commission, “Revision of the Air Quality Directive,” European Commission, 26 October 2022. Available online: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/air/air-quality/revision-ambient-air-quality-directives_en  



[[Category: IAQ Policy Landscape]]