Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe entered into force on June 11 2008, setting a focus on reducing emissions of key airborne pollutants. The New Directive merges multiple existing Directives and a Council Decision into a single Directive on air quality.The Directive sets new standards and target dates for reducing concentrations of PM2.5 (fine particles), which are among the most dangerous pollutants for human health. Member States are required to reduce exposure to PM2.5 in urban areas by an average of 20% by 2020 based on 2010 levels. It obliges them to bring exposure levels below 20 μg/m³ by 2015 in these areas. Member States will need to respect the PM2.5 limit value set at 25 μg/m³ throughout their territory. This value must be achieved by 2015 but should be achieved by 2010 where possible.

The full text of the Directive can be accessed from:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:152:0001:0044:EN:PDF

Source: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/en/index.htm  (accessed 02/07/08)

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