Explanatory Memorandum to COM(1985)371 - - Main contents
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| source | COM(1985)371  |
| date | 10-07-1985 |
COLLECTION RELIEE DES DOCUMENTS 'COM'
Contents
- COM (85) 371
- Brussels, 11 July 1985
- C0MC85) 371 final
- 1. On request of the Council of Ministers of June 28th 1984 , the
- 2. The expert group studied the following issues in order to examine the
- v. The effects of secondary pollutants on vegetation, in particular photochemical oxidants, which are created in processes involving NO
- vi. The need to lay down a long-term limit value for administrative and air quality management purposes
- ug/m and in summer times under 190 ug/m to protect vegetation
- i. the long-term guide value of the N0-, Directive should be decreased
- to 30 ug/m throughout a country, in zones of special
- the
- to i) The laying down of any long-term limit value throughout
- The Commission appreciates the recommendations made by
- zones of special environmental protection, but notes
- Moreover, in Article 4(2) Member States are requested to fix values which are generally lower than the guide
- to ii) The Commission welcomes this statement. It can be
- 1996. This would lead to a reduction of the annual
- The application of the most advanced technology for the
- Such a reduction would bring N0-. concentrations most
- 3 ^
- to i i i)
- to v) The Commission has already taken actions in this
- to vi)' The Commission will take up this question again in a
- 6. In conclusion the Commission
- COM(83) 375 final
- adopt, as a first step, the proposals , made by the
Vol. 1985/0145
Disclaimer
Conformement au reglement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er fevrier 1983 concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communaute economique europeenne et de la Communaute europeenne de l'energie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, p.
1), tel que modifie par le reglement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 (JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p.
1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas echeant, les documents classifies presents dans ce dossier ont ete declassifies conformement a l'article 5 dudit reglement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p.
1), as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 27.9.2003, p.
1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Obereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1. Februar 1983 uber die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europaischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europaischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983, S.
1), geandert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003 (ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S.
1), ist diese Datei der Offentlichkeit zuganglich. Soweit erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Obereinstimmung mit Artikel 5 der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
C0'<85> 371 final
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
CONCERNING THE PROPOSITION OF A N02 LONG-TERM LIMIT VALUE FOR THE PROTECTION OF TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
COMMUNICATION OF THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS CONCERNING THE PROPOSITION OF A N02 LONG-TERM LIMIT VALUE FOR THE PROTECTION OF TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
1)
Commission has studied in cooperation with an international expert
group the possibility of proposing a NO^ long-term limit value for the protection of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
question whether a long-term limit value for NO^ is needed :
i. The effects of NO^ as a single compound on vegetation
ii. The effects on vegetation of NO^ in combination with other pollutants
iii. The contribution of N02 to effects on soil
iv. The effects of NO^ on aquatic ecosystems
v. The effects of secondary pollutants on vegetation, in particular photochemical oxidants, which are created in processes involving NO
x
vi. The need to lay down a long-term limit value for administrative and air quality management purposes
vii. The consequences of a long-term limit value for the production of photochemical oxidants
viii. The consequences of such a value for emission reduction measures and monitoring.
8604/84 ENV 127 of July 24th 1984.
3. The expert group summarized in its final report, that :
- long-term values of N0? should be kept in winter times under 75
3^3 .
from effects of N0^ alone, .
- there is some evidance of a no-adverse effect level of 40 ug/m^ N0?
3 d
for more sensitive plants in combination with 40 ug/m SO^; under fast growing conditions the same species may not be adversely affected until the concentration reaches 130 ug/m^ NO^,
- there are preliminary indications that NO^-levels of 30 ug/m^ can damage plants, when such concentrations are associated with S0? levels of 60 ug/m and 0^ levels of 30 ug/m ,
- very sensitive aquatic communities may be adversely affected by a supra-optima l nitrogen supply which may occur at concentrations of N0^ as low as 10 to 20 ug/m^,
- due to the lack of knowledge no single and universally justified value for a tolerable N0^ deposition rate can be given,
- ozone, a product of N0^ in atmospheric reaction cycles, can reduce the yield and growth of plants when the 7-hr seasonal average concentration exceeds approximately 80 ug/m^,
- the setting of a N0^ long-term limit value is inappropriate for the reduction of ozone or other air quality mangement purposes.
4. The expert group recommends on the basis of its studies to take the following actions :
3 <~
environmental protection, a value of 10 ug/m^ N0^ may be
appropriate.
ii. consideration should be given to emissions reductions from large combustion installations and motor vehicles that would lead to a substantial decrease of the overall air pollution, as a preventive measure.
iii. more studies of combined effects of air pollutants on plants and on the total N budget in the environment should be carried out.
iv. the models of long- and meso-scale transport of air pollutants, in particular of NO^, SC^ and 0^, should be improved.
v. multi-component monitoring of air pollutants in rural areas should be extended.
vi. the question of the need for a long-term limit value for N0^ should be reviewed in approximately five years, with particular regard to combined effects.
vii. emphasis should be given to the effects of ozone on vegetation.
the
the
5. The recommendations of the expert group have to be evaluated in context of the present air pollution control policy of Commission^ in order to identify deficiencies in relation to need and the urgency for taking additional Community measures :
the Community seems to be inappropriate at present because the scientific backup for the fixing of such a value is still insufficient.
Moreover, the definition of a long-term limit value requires cost/benefit studies which are not available at present.
For further information see 'Report on the Actions of the Commission of the Furopean Community on Acid Depositions', Doc. XI/886/84-EN, published in December 1984.
the experts for a general guide value of 30 ug/m^ NO-, and
3 c
a value of 10 ug/m NO^ which may be appropriate for
that : .
- no appropriate and cost-effective control strategy for
the combined abatement of NO-,, SO^ and 0^ has been
developed yet;
- the knowledge of the effects on aquatic ecosystems and combined effects of NO^, SO2 and 0^ on vegetation is still incomplete, but rapidly increasing.
Moreover, in Article 4(2) Member States are requested to fix values which are generally lower than the guide
values in zones where they consider that special
environmental protection should be afforded and Article 5 gives the right to Member States to fix values more
stringent than those Laid down in the Directive. In
principle, these two articles allow Member States to set out long-term goals for the protection of ecosystems, where necessary.
In the light of these possibilities already foreseen the Commission is of the opinion that the adopted NO^-
Directive provides already a basis for more stringent environmental goals. Nevertheless, it is understood that due to the long range transport the achievement of such a goal would require international emission reduction
measures.
* expected that the total NO?-emission reductions which are
3)
achievable by Commission's proposals C0MC83) 704 final
4)
< and C0MC84) 226 final , if they were adopted by the
Council, would account for approximately 15 to 30% by
averaged ambient air concentrations by approximately the
same percentage. Therefore these measures cannot ensure
that ambient air concentrations will be lowered to 30
ug/m^ throughout the Member States. However, it would
most likely allow 10 to 20 ug/m^ to be achieved in large
parts of rural areas and 40 ug/m^ in suburban areas.
reduction of automotive NO -emissions would lead to a
x
decrease in total emission by approximately 35 to 48%.
32
- likely below 10 to 20 ug N0_,/m in most rural areas,
below 30 ug/m in most suburban, and partly in urban areas of the Community.
Further reductions would require taking more stringent actions against existing larger combustion installations and diesel-powered vehicles .
The Commission is of the opinion that a consistent global reduction policy is the most appropriate strategy to combat air pollution. Therefore, the Commission invites all Member States to adopt the proposals already on the table of the Council.
Proposal for a Council Directive on the limitation of the emissions of pollutants into the air from large combustion plants.
Proposals relating to limits on emissions from motor vehicles and on lead in petrol.
On the 972nd meeting of the Council the Commission stated, that it is examining possible additional measures which could be taken concerning in particular : particulate emissions from diesel cars, emissions from passenger or goods vehicles over 3,5 t, speed limits.
The Commission is already carrying out such studies and plans to reinforce its activities in all of the mentioned research fields .
to iv) The Commission started to study the applicability of
models for control purposes in 1984 and hopes to get first results in 1986. More extended studies on
modelling are in preparation.
direction by its proposal C0MC83) 375 final Further
activities are planned.
couple of years, when the scientific results on combined effects are more adequate.
to vii) The Commission is aware of these effects and is studying the possibilities of appropriate countermeasures with the highest priority.
- is of the opinion that at present neither a NO^-long-term limit value can be proposed nor the long-term guide value set out in the NO^-Directive requires adaptation, but it will keep under review the ongoing development and make proposals when appropriate;
- invites Member States to make extensive use of Articles 4 and 5 of the NO^-Oirecti ve;
J.O. L71 of 14th March 1984, page 13.
"Proposition de reglement du Conseil instaurant une action communautai re destinee a accroitre la protection des forets dans la Communaute contre les incendies et les pluies acides".
- invites Member States to agree on substantial global emission
reductions for NO as well as for S0? and hydrocarbons and to
X ^ 8) 9)
Commission;
- invites Member States to stimulate general international reductions of transboundary fluxes of NO^ and other pollutants.
The Commission will take the necessary steps to reinforce its scientific and monitoring activities and will prepare proposals on combating photochemical air pollutants.
COM(83) 704 final COM(84) 226 final