1. Topic

2. Introduction

Most limit values under the EU Air Quality legislation have to be met several years after the entry into force of the Daughter Directive concerned, in most cases in 2005 or 2010. Before that time, Member States must ensure that the concentrations are everywhere brought below the limit value in time. If the limit value plus the “margin of tolerance” (LV+MOT) is exceeded in an earlier year, the levels are so much above the limit value that the directive requires to make an analysis and prognosis of the exceedance, and to develop a plan or programme to ensure that the limit value will be met.

3. Discussion

The Directives do not give special requirement for actions in case limit values have been exceeded – the limit values just have to be met. There are special requirements for identifying future exceedances and developing reduction actions to prevent exceedance to happen (Framework Directive Art 8(3)). A working group of the Commission has given guidance on this procedure. The topic How to develop an Air Quality Action Plan ? provides further support on this. Especially if the LV+MOT has been exceeded, the sources responsible for the exceedance have to be identified and a prognosis must be made of the levels in the years when the limit value has to be met. If exceedance is due to long-range transport of air pollution, local authorities can hardly take adequate measures themselves and should consult the regional or national level for finding a solution, but if local sources have a significant share, they have to consider how to take measures. Most experts recommend to take structural measures rather than short-term actions.

INTEGAIRE’s Good Practice Database reflects experience with measures at the city level and gives a large number of examples. In addition, the Commission will publish on its website a database of local and short-term measures taken in the past; this database is currently in development. There are also several publications on local air quality management (see below).

4. Recommendation / Conclusion

Local authorities must anticipate future possible exceedance and take action in time to prevent exceedance. In many cases it is useful to seek collaboration with other municipal departments and/or regional authorities. There are databases of with possible measures.

5. Examples / Further Reading

6. Additional Documents / Web Links

· Guidance on plans and programmes: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/air/cafe/pdf/working_groups/recommend_plans_programmes.pdf

· Eurocities, Brussels, 1998. Good Practice in European Urban Air Quality Management.

· European Environmental Agency, Copenhagen, 1998. Assessment and Management of Urban Air Quality in Europe.

Last Updated

25th January 2005