Air pollution : national emission ceilings for pollutant gas (SO2, NOx, NH3, VOCs)

PURPOSE : to limit emissions of acidifying an eutrophying pollutants and ozone precursors in order to improve the protection in the Community of the environment and human health. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and Council on national emissions ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants. CONTENT : this aim of this Directive is to limit emissions of acidifying an eutrophying pollutants and ozone precursors in order to improve the protection in the Community of the environment and human health against risks of adverse effects from acidification, soil eutrophication and ground-level ozone and to move towards the long-term objectives of not exceeding critical levels and loads and of effective protection of all people against recognised health risks from air pollution by establishing national emission ceilings, taking the years 2010 and 2020 as benchmarks. This Directive covers emissions in the territory of the Member States and their exclusive economic zones from all sources of pollutants which arise from human activities (SO2, NOx, VOC, NH3). It does not cover: - emissions from international maritime traffic; - aircraft emissions beyond the landing and take-off cycle; - for Spain, emissions in the Canary Islands; - for Portugal, emissions in Madeira and the Azores. Member States shall, by 1 October 2002 at the latest, draw up programmes for the progressive reduction of national emissions of the pollutants referred to above with the aim of complying at least with national emission ceilings by 2010 at the latest. These shall be updated as necessary by 1 October 2006. In 2004 and 2008 the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on progress on the implementation of the national emission ceilings and on the extent to which the interim environmental objectives set are likely to be by 2010 and on the extent to which the long-term objectives set out could be met by 2020. This report shall include an economic assessment, including cost-effectiveness, benefits, an assessment of marginal costs and benefits and the socio-economic impact of the implementation of the national emission ceilings on particular Member States and sectors. Moreover, in 2012 the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on compliance with the ceilings and on progress in relation to the interim environmental objectives and the long-term objectives. In the review to be completed in 2004 an evaluation will be carried out of the indicative emission ceilings for the Community as a whole. To promote the achievement of the objective of this Directive, the Commission and the Member States shall pursue bilateral and multilateral cooperation with third countries and relevant international organisations. With regard to the reports concerning ship and aircraft emissions, by the end of 2002, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the extent to which emissions from international maritime traffic contribute to acidification, eutrophication and the formation of ground-level ozone within the Community. By the end of 2004, the Commission shall report on the extent to which emissions from aircraft beyond the landing and take-off cycle contribute toacidification, eutrophication and the formation of ground-level ozone within the Community. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 27 November 2002. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 27/11/2001.�