Air Quality Limit Values (Wales) Regulations 2002 (W.S.I. No. 3183 (W.299) of 2002).

These regulations implement in Wales Council Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality assessment and management, Council Directive 99/30/EC relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air, and Council Directive 2000/69/EC relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air. Regulation 3 designates the National Assembly for Wales as the competent authority for the implementation of Article 3 (implementation and responsibilities) of Council Directive 96/62/EC. Regulation 4 places the National Assembly under a duty to take the measures necessary to ensure that in each zone in Wales concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, lead, benzene and carbon monoxide ("the relevant pollutants") do not exceed limit values. The limit values for each pollutant, and the dates by which they are to be met, are set out in Schedule 1. Regulation 5 requires the National Assembly to ensure that ambient air is assessed for each zone. Regulation 6 requires the National Assembly to classify each zone in relation to each of the relevant pollutants. Regulation 7 places a duty on the National Assembly to review the classification of zones every five years or in the event of significant changes affecting levels of any of the relevant pollutants. Regulation 8 requires the National Assembly to ensure that specified methods are used for assessing air quality for each pollutant in each zone. Regulation 9 requires the National Assembly to draw up action plans indicating measures to be taken in the short term where there is a risk that limit values for any of the relevant pollutants, or alert thresholds for sulphur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide, will be exceeded. Regulation 10 requires the National Assembly to draw up lists of zones where the levels of one or more of the relevant pollutants is above the limit value, or between the limit value and any margin of tolerance shown in Schedule 1. Regulation 11 requires the National Assembly to list zones where levels of the relevant pollutants are below limit values, to ensure that levels of these pollutants are maintained below the limit values, and to endeavour to preserve the best ambient air quality compatible with sustainable development. Regulation 12 requires the National Assembly to ensure that up-to-date information on ambient concentrations of each of the relevant pollutants is routinely made available to the public.