Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants.

The aim of this Directive 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 arising out of acidification, soil europhication and ground-level ozone. The Directive covers emissions in the territory of the Member States and their exclusive economic zones from all sources of the pollutants referred to in article 4 which arise as a result of human activities. On the other side, the Directive shall not cover neither emissions from international maritime traffic nor aircraft emissions beyond the landing and take-off cycle. By the year 2010 at the latest, Member States shall limit their annual national emissions of the pollutants specified in article 4 to amounts not greater than the emission ceilings laid down in Annex I. Programmes shall be drawn up as per article 6.