Emission Ceilings Act –Air.

The present Act provides for the enforcement of Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants. Its aim is to limit emissions of acidifying and eutrophying pollutants and ozone precursors in order to improve the protection in the Community of the environment and human health against risks of adverse effects from acidification, soil eutrophication and ground-level ozone and to move towards the long-term objectives of not exceeding critical levels and loads and of effective protection of all people against recognized health risks from air pollution by establishing national emission ceilings. However it does not cover emissions from international maritime traffic; and aircraft emissions beyond the landing and take-off cycle. Article 6 of the above-mentioned Ordinance establishes that the Federal Government has to draw up a programme to limit the annual national emissions of the pollutants sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH3) as laid down in Annex I. Entrusted with that task is the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Resources. The said programme has to be made available to the public and to appropriate organizations such as environmental organizations. Information made available to the public and to organizations shall be clear, comprehensible and easily accessible. The text consists of 9 articles and 1 Annex.