On February 20, 2024, the Council of the EU released a press release that discusses the agreement reached by the Council and Parliament to strengthen air quality standards in the EU. The new standards are expected to improve air quality and reduce premature deaths. They will be reviewed regularly and could be further strengthened in the future.

EU lawmakers have joined forces to strengthen air quality standards by 2030. These new, stricter limits and targets align more closely with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and will be subject to regular review. The updated directive tackles a range of air pollutants, including fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and even toxic metals like arsenic and lead. Each pollutant has its own specific standard, with the most significant reductions targeting those posing the greatest health risks. For example, annual limits for PM2.5 and NO2 will be more than halved, dropping from 25 µg/m³ to 10 µg/m³ and 40 µg/m³ to 20 µg/m³, respectively.

While the deadline for achieving cleaner air remains 2030, EU countries now have a potential safety net. Under specific circumstances, they can request a delay until 2040. However, this isn’t a free pass. To qualify, they must demonstrate clear reasons and meet strict conditions. This ensures everyone strives for clean air, while offering flexibility for exceptional situations.

Action Plans

If pollution levels rise above safe limits, countries must take action:

• Provide an air quality roadmap ahead of the deadline if the level of pollutants exceeds the limit or target value
• Establish air quality plans for areas where the levels of pollutants exceed the limit and target values set out in the directive after the deadline
• Establish short-term action plans setting out emergency measures (e.g. restricting the circulation of vehicles, suspending construction works, suspending agriculture burnings, halt wood burning, etc.) to reduce the immediate risk to human health in areas where the alert thresholds will be exceeded

Finally, new rules empower citizens! Under the revised directive, if pollution caused by a country’s negligence harms your health, you’ll be able to seek compensation. This means holding governments accountable for upholding clean air standards and protecting your well-being.

For more information visit https://www.consilium.europa.eu/