Two sets of air quality objectives and limits apply to air quality in Northern Ireland.
(i) EC Directives
The European Community has agreed a series of Air Quality Directives covering key pollutants. These directives establish Limit Values for specified pollutants; these requirements have been incorporated into Northern Ireland's own legislation.
(ii) The UK Air Quality Strategy
The Air Quality Strategy (AQS) sets out a comprehensive strategic framework for air quality policies, and establishes Air Quality Objectives for key air pollutants.
In most cases, the Air Quality Strategy (AQS) Objectives are identical to the EC Directive Limit Values, the only differences being the more stringent dates by which the former must be achieved. View the table showing the AQS Objectives and EC Limit Values applicable to Northern Ireland
The European Council Directive 96/62/EC on Ambient Air Quality Assessment and Management, (The Framework Directive), establishes a framework under which the EC will agree air quality limit or guide values for specified pollutants in a series of 'Daughter Directives'. These will supersede existing air quality legislation. It is envisaged that the structures established under the UK Air Quality Strategy and supporting legislation will provide the principal means of implementing the UK's commitments under this Directive. So far, three Daughter Directives have been created:
- The first Daughter Directive (1999/30/EEC), covering sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter as PM10, and lead, came into force on 19 July 1999. This Directive contains limit values for these pollutants, aimed at protection of human health and, of ecosystems. This Directive was transposed by The Air Quality Limit Values Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.
- The second Daughter Directive (2000/69/EC) covers carbon monoxide (CO) and benzene came into force on 13 December 2000. This Directive was transposed later that year by The Air Quality Limit Values (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.
- The third Daughter Directive (or EC Ozone Directive, 2002/3/EC), came into force in 2003 and was transposed the following year.
- The fourth Daughter Directive (2004/107/EC) covers the remaining pollutants listed in the Framework Directive. These pollutants are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the metallic elements cadmium,arsenic,nickel and mercury. It is expected that the Department will commence work on regulations during 2006/2007. This Directive sets target values of emissions but not mandatory limits. The UK proposals do not aim to introduce any additional requirements on industry or on regulators.However,the monitoring requirements it sets out represent an additional obligation on the Department, which the UK has already negotiated during extensive revisions to the Directive at proposal stages to be at a minimum.
The Department issued a consultation document (92.3kb)
on 4th December 2006 . The proposals aim to streamline existing legislation by consolidating the existing Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2003 with the proposed set of draft Air Quality Standards Regulations 2007(248kb) that give effect to the fourth Daughter Directive. These measures aim to simplify air quality legislation and do not aim to change the provisions of the existing legislation. The closing date for responses is 23rd February 2007. Also attached is a copy of the Equality screening impact assessment for these regulations.(29.7kb).
