Directive (EU) 2024/2881on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (recast).

This Directive lays down air quality rules to achieve a zero-pollution objective by improving air quality within the Union progressively to levels no longer considered harmful to human health, natural ecosystems and biodiversity, and to contribute to a toxic-free environment at the latest by 2050. It sets out limit values, target values, average exposure reduction obligations, average exposure concentration objectives, critical levels, alert thresholds, information thresholds and long-term objectives. Annex I determines air quality standards which shall be regularly reviewed in accordance with Article 3, in line with WHO recommendations. It also aims to contribute to achieving the Union’s pollution-reduction, biodiversity and ecosystem objectives in accordance with the 8th Environment Action Programme, as well as enhanced synergies between the Union’s air quality policy and other relevant Union policies. This Directive contributes to the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDGs 3, 7, 10, 11 and 13.
This Directive lays down provisions as regards: (i) defining and establishing objectives for ambient air quality designed to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment, including the effects of ozone on vegetation; (ii) setting common methods and criteria to assess pollutants and improve air quality in Member States; (iii) monitoring current ambient air quality and long-term trends as well as impacts of Union and national measures on ambient air quality; (iv) ensuring that information on ambient air quality is comparable across the Union and made available to the public; (v) maintaining air quality where it is good and improving it in other cases; (vi) promoting increased cooperation between Member States and their competent authorities and bodies in reducing air pollution.
The Member States shall designate responsibilities at the appropriate levels to the competent authorities and bodies for the implementation of this Directive. The zones and average exposure territorial units shall be established by the Member States throughout their territory to carry out air quality assessment and air quality management. Annex II specifies the assessment thresholds that apply to sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2,5), benzene, carbon monoxide, arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, benzo(a)pyrene and ozone in ambient air. Annex IV determines the location of sampling points for the measurement of these substances in ambient air. Points A and C of Annex VI specifies the reference measurement methods. The Member States shall apply air quality modelling applications subject to the conditions set out in Point E of Annex VI. Air quality assessment data shall meet the data quality objectives laid down in Annex V.
Chapter III addresses air quality management and sets out requirements where levels are lower than the limit values, target values and average exposure concentration objectives; limit values, target values and average exposure reduction obligations; critical levels for the protection of vegetation and natural ecosystems; exceedances; and contributions from natural sources. The Member States shall establish air quality plans for the zones where the levels of pollutants in ambient air exceed any limit value or target value laid down in Annex I. They shall cooperate with each other to prevent transboundary air pollution. They also provide information to the public as well as appropriate organizations such as environmental and health organizations, consumer organizations, and organizations representing the interests of sensitive populations and vulnerable groups. This Directive compels the Member States to compensate natural persons who suffer damage to human health caused by a violation of the national rules transposing Article 19(1) to (5) and Article 20(1) and (2) of this Directive. The Member States shall set penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive.