AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DIRECTIVE (AAQD)
Legislative Framework
In 2021, the European Commission unveiled a zero pollution goal for the EU by 2050, targeting the reduction of air, water, and soil pollution to safe levels. This initiative, part of the European Green Deal, was set in motion to align with the WHO's 2021 air quality guidelines.In October 2022, the Commission proposed an update to the EU's existing air quality regulations, aiming to merge and amend the current ambient air quality directives (2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC).
This revision primarily aims to establish more stringent binding limits for air pollutants by 2030 and outline provisions that aid in achieving the zero pollution objective by 2050.The proposed directive seeks to harmonize air quality standards with the 2021 WHO recommendations based on the latest scientific research on air pollution's health impacts. By setting stricter standards for 2030 as an interim measure toward the 2050 zero pollution goal, these updated regulations would encompass emission limits, average exposure reduction requirements, and alert thresholds. For instance, the annual limit value for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a major contributor to early deaths in Europe, would drop from 25 µg/m³ to 10 µg/m³ (compared to the WHO guideline value of 5 µg/m³).
These proposed changes are anticipated to significantly decrease premature deaths and air pollution-related illnesses. It is projected that PM2.5-related premature deaths could decline by 75% within a decade.The proposal necessitates regular Commission reviews of scientific evidence to ensure the effectiveness of the revised air quality standards in safeguarding human health.