Air quality: agreement on stricter limits for pollutant emissions

The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached on 30 June 2016 an informal agreement on a directive to reduce emissions of air pollutants. The so-called NEC Directive sets stricter national limits from 2020 to 2029 and from 2030 onwards.

The Commission presented its proposal as part of the 'Air quality package' in December 2013. The European Parliament voted its position on the proposed directive in October 2015 and the Council of the European Union agreed on its general approach in December 2015.

Following the successful negotiations, the Parliament's environment committee endorsed the compromise text on 13 July.

EurActiv, 07.07.16: Parliament cuts deal to halve deaths from air pollution http://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eu-cuts-deal-to-halve-deaths-from-air-pollution/

EurActiv, 14.07.16: EU’s new air quality guidelines accused of being ‘patchy’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eus-new-air-quality-guidelines-accused-of-being-patchy/

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