Luchtkwaliteit: Commissie spoort vijf Lidstaten aan om EU-wetgeving na te leven (en)
The European Commission is urging five Member States to comply with EU air quality standards. Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Slovakia have so far failed to effectively tackle excess emissions of tiny airborne particles known as PM10. Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Slovakia have two months to comply with the reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures. In the absence of satisfactory responses from the Member States concerned, the Commission may refer them to the European Court of Justice.
Environment Commissioner Janez Poto?nik said: "Strict standards are necessary to protect the health of EU citizens. Air pollution continues to cause more than 350,000 premature deaths in Europe each year. Member States must fully respect the limits in zones where time extensions are not applicable."
Directive 2008/50/EC requires Member States to ensure that certain limit values for PM10 are met. These limits, which were to be met by 2005, impose both an annual concentration value (40 ?g/m3), and a daily concentration value (50 ?g/m3) which must not be exceeded more than 35 times per calendar year.1
Countries may apply for exemptions from the PM10 limit values until June 2011, but these exemptions are subject to a number of conditions. This includes demonstrating that they have taken steps to achieve compliance by the extended deadline, and are implementing an air quality plan setting out the relevant abatement actions for each air quality zone.
Information available to the Commission indicates that the limit values for PM10 have not been respected in several zones throughout Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Slovakia since 2005. Although all seven Member States applied for time extensions, the Commission considered that the conditions had not been met for all air quality zones that exceeded the limits. Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia have re-applied for time extensions. The Commission is still in the process of assessing these notifications.
Background: health impacts
Airborne particles (PM10) are mainly present in pollutant emissions from industry, traffic and domestic heating. They can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death.
Further information
Lists of zones in exceedance by Member State:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/exceedances.htm
Time extension website:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/quality/legislation/time_extensions.htm
For current statistics on infringements in general:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/infringements/infringements_en.htm
Directive 2008/50/EC of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe