Joint Ministerial Decision no. DNEP/67467/3577 of 2018 concerning reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants, amendment of Directive 2003/35/EC and repealing Directive 2001/81/EC - transposition into national law of Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

This Ministerial Decision, issued in compliance with the provisions of Directive 2016/2284/EU, establishes the national commitments to reduce anthropogenic atmospheric emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), ammonia (NH3) and fine particulate matter (PM25) and provides for ensuring an institutional framework for the preparation, approval and the implementation of the National Air Pollution Control Programme, for the monitoring and reporting of emissions of these pollutants, in order to achieve levels of ambient air quality that will not result in significant negative impacts and risks to human health and the environment. Furthermore, the Decision aims at achieving the objectives of relevant national and European legislation in the field of biodiversity and ecosystems protection, in accordance with the 7th Environment Action Programme adopted by Decision (EU) 1386/2013. The Decision establishes the the Directorate of Climate Change and Air Quality of the General Directorate of Environmental Policy of the Ministry of Environment and Energy as the competent authority for implementing the objectives and the provisions of this Decision, and therefore specifies powers and duties of the authority.
Matters covered by this Decision include: national commitments to reduce emissions; application of improved emission inventory methods and flexibility instruments; preparation of National Air Pollution Control Programme; national emissions inventories; monitoring the effects of air pollution; submission of data to the European Commission and the European Environment Agency; ensuring the active and systematic dissemination to the public of information concerning air pollution and emission levels inventories; cooperation with third countries and coordination within international organisations; sanctions and penalties.