Implementing decision 2011/850 - 2011/850/EU: Commission Implementing Decision of 12 December 2011 laying down rules for Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the reciprocal exchange of information and reporting on ambient air quality (notified under document C(2011) 9068) - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 335/86

Directive 2004/107/EC lays down target values to be met by a certain date, determines common methods and criteria for the assessment of the listed pollutants, lays down the information that needs to be transmitted to the Commission and ensures that adequate information on concentration levels of those pollutants is made available to the public. It requires that detailed arrangements for forwarding the ambient air quality information are adopted.

Directive 2008/50/EC establishes the framework for the assessment and management of ambient air quality. It provides that the information on ambient air quality and the timescales in which such information is to be made available by Member States are to be laid down for the reporting and the reciprocal exchange of information on air quality. It also requires that ways are identified to streamline how such information are reported and exchanged.

Council Decision 97/101/EC of 27 January 1997 establishing a reciprocal exchange of information and data from networks and individual stations measuring ambient air pollution within the Member States (3) lists the information on air quality which Member States are to provide in view of the reciprocal exchange.

Directive 2008/50/EC provides that Decision 97/101/EC is to be repealed with effect from the end of the second calendar year following the entry into force of the implementing measures on transmission of information and reporting. Accordingly, the provisions of Decision 97/101/EC should be reflected in this Decision.

The scope of this Decision covers the annual reporting on ambient air quality assessment and the submission of information on plans and programmes in relation to limit values for certain pollutants in ambient air currently covered by Commission Decision 2004/224/EC of 20 February 2004 laying down arrangements for the submission of information on plans or programmes required under Council Directive 96/62/EC in relation to limit values for certain pollutants in ambient air (4) and Commission Decision 2004/461/EC of 29 April 2004 laying down a questionnaire to be used for annual reporting on ambient air quality assessment under Council Directives 96/62/EC and 1999/30/EC and under Directives 2000/69/EC and 2002/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (5). Accordingly, in the interest of clarity and consistency of Union legislation, those Decisions should be repealed.

An Internet interface called the ambient air quality portal should be created by the Commission, assisted by the European Environment Agency, where Member States should make the air quality information available and where the public has access to the environmental information made available by Member States.

To streamline the amount of information made available by Member States, to maximise the usefulness of such information and to reduce the administrative burden, Member States should be required to make the information available in a standardised, machine-readable form. The Commission, assisted by the European Environment Agency, should develop such a standardised machine-readable form in line with the requirements of Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2007 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) (6). It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level.

To reduce the administrative burden and the scope for errors, Member States should use an electronic, Internet-based tool accessible through the ambient air quality portal when making information available. That tool should be used to check the consistency of the information, the data quality and to aggregate the primary data. Where this Decision requires information to be made available in aggregate form, the tool should therefore undertake this aggregation. Member States should be able to use the tool independently from making available the ambient air quality information to the Commission to fulfil a reporting obligation or to exchange ambient air quality data.

The European Environment Agency should assist the Commission, as appropriate, with the management of the ambient air quality portal and the development of the tool for information consistency, data quality and aggregation of primary data. The European Environment Agency should in particular assist the Commission in the monitoring of the data repository, as well as the analysis relating to fulfilment by the Member States of their obligations under Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC.

It is necessary for the Member States and the Commission to collect, exchange and assess up-to-date air quality information in order to understand better the impacts of air pollution and develop appropriate policies. In order to facilitate the handling and comparison of up-to-date air quality information, the up-to-date information should be made available to the Commission in the same standardised form as validated data within a reasonable timeframe after it has been made available to the public.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Ambient Air Quality Committee,

Member States obligations to report on the assessment and management of ambient air quality;

Member States reciprocal exchange of information concerning networks and stations, and the measurements of air quality obtained from those stations that are selected by Member States for the purpose of reciprocal exchange from amongst existing stations.

‘station’ means a location where measurements or samples are taken at one or more sampling points at the same site within an area of approximately 100 m2;

‘network’ means an organisational structure performing assessment of ambient air quality by measuring at one or more stations;

‘measurement configuration’ means the technical facilities used for the measurement of one pollutant or one of its compounds at a certain station;

‘measurement data’ means information on the concentration or deposition level of a specific pollutant obtained by measurements;

‘modelling data’ means information on the concentration or deposition level of a specific pollutant obtained through numerical simulation of physical reality;

‘objective estimation data’ means information on the concentration or deposition level of a specific pollutant obtained through expert analysis and may include use of statistical tools;

‘primary data’ means information on the concentration or deposition level of a specific pollutant at the highest time resolution considered in this Decision;

‘primary up-to-date assessment data’ means primary data collected with the frequency appropriate to each pollutant assessment method and made available to the public without delay;

‘ambient air quality portal’ means a webpage managed by the Commission assisted by the European Environment Agency, through which information related to the implementation of this Decision including the data repository is provided;

‘data repository’ means an information system, linked to the ambient air quality portal and managed by the European Environment Agency, containing air quality information and data made available through national data reporting and exchange nodes under the control of the Member States;

‘data type’ means a descriptor by which similar data to be used for different purposes is categorised as set out in Part A of Annex II to this Decision;

‘environmental objective’ means an ambient air quality objective to be attained within a given period, or where possible over a given period respectively or in the long term as laid down in Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC.

a consistency check of the information which is to be made available;

a check of the primary data relative to the specific data quality objectives specified in Annex IV to Directive 2004/107/EC and Annex I to Directive 2008/50/EC;

the aggregation of primary data according to the rules set out in Annex I to this Decision and Annexes VII and XI to Directive 2008/50/EC.

the measurement configuration;

the demonstration of equivalence where a non-reference method is used;

the sampling point location, its description and classification;

the documentation of data quality.

the measurement method applied;

the sampling points and the coverage area;

the validation method;

the documentation of data quality.

the description of the modelling system and its inputs;

the model validation through measurements;

the coverage area;

the documentation of data quality.

the description of the estimation method;

the documentation of data quality.

the spatial extent of the subtraction;

the quantity of the primary validated assessment data made available according to paragraph 1 of this Article that can be attributed to natural sources or winter-sanding or -salting;

the results of the application of the methods reported according to Article 8.

assessed concentration levels;

a status indication on the quality control.

the annual average, where an annual average target or limit value is defined;

the total hours in exceedance where an hourly limit value is defined;

the total days in exceedance where a daily limit value is defined, or the percentile 90,4 for PM10 in the particular case when random measurements are applied instead of continuous measurements;

the total days in exceedance where a maximum daily eight-hour mean target or limit value is defined;

the AOT40 as defined in Part A of Annex VII to Directive 2008/50/EC in case of the ozone target value for the protection of vegetation;

the Average Exposure Indicator in case of the PM2,5 exposure reduction target and the exposure concentration obligation.

a declaration of attainment of all environmental objectives in each specific zone or agglomeration, including information on the exceedance of any applicable margin of tolerance;

where relevant, a declaration that the exceedance in the zone is attributable to natural sources;

where relevant, a declaration that the exceedance of a PM10 air quality objective in the zone or agglomeration is due to the re-suspension of particulate matter following the winter-sanding or -salting of roads;

information on the attainment of the PM2,5 exposure concentration obligation.

the mandatory elements of the air quality plan as listed pursuant to Article 23 of Directive 2008/50/EC in Section A of Annex XV to Directive 2008/50/EC;

references to where the public can have access to regularly updated information on the implementation of the air quality plans.

Name of responsible authority, institution or body

Name of responsible person

Web address

Address

Telephone number

E-mail

Exceedance Situation ID

Exceeded environmental objective

Area of the exceedance situation (data type ‘Spatial Extent’)

Classification of the area

Administrative units

Estimate of the surface area where the level was above the environmental objective

Estimate of the length of road where the level was above the environmental objective

Monitoring stations in exceedance area (link to D)

Modelled exceedance (link to D)

Estimate of the total resident population in the exceedance area

Estimate of the ecosystem/vegetation area exposed above the environmental objective

Reference year

Objective type

Averaging period of assessment

Protection target

GIS information provided as coordinates

Spatial assessment data

Publication

Title

Author(s)

Publication date

Publisher

Web link

Change

Description of change

Provider (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Change documentation (data type ‘Documentation of Change’)

Zone code

Zone name

Zone type

Zone delimitation (data type ‘Spatial Extent’)

Zone history: application start and end date

Predecessors (link to B)

Resident population

Resident population reference year

Code of designated pollutant

Protection Target

Exemption or postponement according to Article 22 of Directive 2008/50/EC

Provider (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Change documentation (data type ‘Documentation of Change’)

Information on zone (link to B)

Pollutant

Environmental objective (data type ‘Environmental Objective’)

Attainment of assessment threshold

Assessment threshold classification year

Documentation of the classification (web link)

Assessment type

Assessment type: Description

Individual assessment metadata, including station ID, location information (link to D)

Authority responsible for the assessment of air quality (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Authority responsible for the approval of measurement systems (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Authority responsible for ensuring the accuracy of measurements (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Authority responsible for the analysis of assessment method (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Authority responsible for the coordination of nation-wide quality assurance (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Authority responsible for the cooperation with other Member States and with the Commission (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Provider (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Change documentation (data type ‘Documentation of change’)

Assessment Type

Information on zone (Link to B)

Pollutant

Measurement configuration ID

European station ID

Network ID

National station code

Name of the monitoring station

Name of the municipality

Measurement start and end date

Measurement type

Measurement/sampling/analytical method

Measurement/sampling equipment (where available)

Detection limit (where available)

Demonstration of equivalence

Demonstration of equivalence: Documentation (web link)

Sampling time

Sampling interval

Spatial Extent of representative area (data type ‘Spatial Extent’) (where available)

Evaluation of representativeness (where available)

Documentation of representativeness (web link) (where available)

Sampling point location: height of air inlet above ground

Sampling point location: horizontal distance of air inlet from the next building (for traffic stations)

Sampling point location: Distance of air inlet from nearest lane (for traffic stations)

Classification of station in relation to predominant emission sources relevant for the measurement configuration for each pollutant

Main sources (traffic, domestic heating, industrial sources or source area etc.) (where available)

Distance from predominant industrial source or source area (for industrial stations)

Station time references: start and end date

Geographical coordinates: longitude, latitude and altitude of monitoring station

Documentation of station information including maps and photographs (web link) (where available)

Classification of the area

Distance to major junction (for traffic stations)

Assessed traffic volume (for traffic stations)

Heavy-duty fraction of traffic (for traffic stations, where available)

Traffic speed (for traffic stations, where available)

Street canyon — width of street (for traffic stations, where available)

Street canyon — mean height of building facades (for traffic stations, where available)

Network name

Network: start and end date of operation

Body responsible for network management (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Assessment method for winter sanding and salting (where Article 21 of Directive 2008/50/EC applies)

Assessment method for natural contribution (where Article 20 of Directive 2008/50/EC applies)

Data quality objectives: time coverage

Data quality objectives: data capture

Data quality objectives: uncertainty estimation

Data quality objectives: documentation of traceability and uncertainty estimation

Data quality objectives: documentation of QA/QC (Web Link)

Indicative measurement ID

Description of measurement method

Measurement type

Measurement method

Measurement/sampling equipment (where available)

Detection limit (where available)

Sampling time

Sampling interval

Geographical coordinates: geographical longitude, latitude and altitude

Assessment method for winter sanding and salting (where Article 21 of Directive 2008/50/EC applies)

Assessment method for natural contribution (where Article 20 of Directive 2008/50/EC applies)

Data quality objectives: time coverage

Data quality objectives: data capture

Data quality objectives: uncertainty estimation

Data quality objectives: documentation of traceability and uncertainty estimation

Data quality objectives: documentation of QA/QC (Web Link)

Modelling ID

Environmental objective type (data type ‘Environmental Objective’)

Modelling method: name

Modelling method: description

Modelling method: documentation (web link)

Modelling method: validation by measurement

Modelling method: validation by measurement at sites not reported under the AQD

Modelling period

Area for modelling (data type ‘Spatial Extent’)

Spatial resolution

Assessment method for winter sanding and salting (where Article 21 of Directive 2008/50/EC applies)

Assessment method for natural contribution (where Article 20 of Directive 2008/50/EC applies)

Data quality objectives: uncertainty estimation

Data quality objectives: documentation of QA/QC (Web Link)

Objective estimation ID

Description

Area for objective estimation (data type ‘Spatial Extent’)

Data quality objective: uncertainty estimation

Data quality objectives: documentation of traceability and uncertainty estimation

Data quality objectives: documentation of QA/QC (Web Link)

Provider (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Documentation of change (data type ‘Documentation of Change’)

Version number

Pollutant

Unit of pollutant

Assessment Type

Assessment Method (Link to D)

Start and end date of sampling

Time units and number of units of sampling

Measurement value (including quantity of pollutant concentration levels attributed to natural sources and winter-sanding and -salting (where Articles 20 and 21 of Directive 2008/50/EC apply))

Modelled value (data type ‘Spatial Observation’) (including quantity of pollutant concentration levels attributed to natural sources and winter-sanding and -salting (where Articles 20 and 21 of Directive 2008/50/EC apply))

Validity

Verification status

Assessment ID

Information on zone (Link to B)

Pollutant

Unit of pollutant

Environmental Objective (data type ‘Environmental Objective’)

Assessment Type

Assessment Method (link to D)

Time reference: start and end date of aggregation period

Aggregated measurement value

Aggregated modelled value (data type ‘Spatial Observation’)

Data quality objective: time coverage

Data quality objective: data capture

Data quality objective: uncertainty estimation

Validity

Verification status

Provider (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Reporting year

Change documentation (data type ‘Documentation of Change’)

Information on zone (link to B)

Exceedance situation (data type ‘Exceedance Situation’)

Pollutant

Assessment information (link to D)

Exceedance of the environmental objective

Exceedance of the environmental objective plus margin of tolerance

Exceedance taking into account natural sources

Exceedance taking into account winter sanding or salting

Exceedance situation after consideration of natural contributions and winter sanding or salting (data type ‘Exceedance Situation’).

Total numbers of exceedances (according to 8 to 11)

Provider (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Change documentation (data type ‘Documentation of Change’)

Air quality plan: code

Air quality plan: name

Air quality plan: reference year of first exceedance

Competent authority (data type ‘Contact Details’)

Air quality plan: status

Air quality plan: pollutants covered

Air quality plan: date of official adoption

Air quality plan: timetable of implementation

Reference to air quality plan (web link)

Reference to implementation (web link)

Relevant publication (data type ‘Publication’)

Code of the relevant exceedance situation(s) (link to G)

Code(s) of exceedance situation (link to G)

Reference year

Regional background: total

Regional background: from within Member State

Regional background: transboundary

Regional background: natural

Urban background increment: total

Urban background increment: traffic

Urban background increment: industry including heat and power production

Urban background increment: agriculture

Urban background increment: commercial and residential

Urban background increment: shipping

Urban background increment: off-road mobile machinery

Urban background increment: natural

Urban background increment: transboundary

Local increment: total

Local increment: traffic

Local increment: industry including heat and power production

Local increment: agriculture

Local increment: commercial and residential

Local increment: shipping

Local increment: off-road mobile machinery

Local increment: natural

Local increment: transboundary

Code of exceedance situation (link to G)

Code of scenario

Code of air quality plan (link to H)

Reference year for which projections are developed

Reference year from which projections are started

Source apportionment (link to I)

Relevant publication (data type ‘Publication’)

Baseline: description of the emission scenario

Baseline: total emissions in the relevant spatial unit

Baseline: included measures (link to K)

Baseline: expected concentration levels in the projection year

Baseline: expected number of exceedances in the projection year

Projection: description of the emission scenario

Projection: total emissions in the relevant spatial unit

Projection: included measures (Link to K)

Projection: expected concentration levels in the projection year

Projection: expected number of exceedances in the projection year

Code(s) of exceedance situation (link to G)

Code of air quality plan (link to H)

Code of evaluation scenario (link to J)

Measure: code

Measure: name

Measure: description

Measure: classification

Measure: type

Measure: administrative level

Measure: time scale

Measure: affected source sector

Measure: spatial scale

Estimated implementation costs (where available)

Planned implementation: start and end date

Date when the measure is planned to take full effect

Other key implementation dates

Indicator for monitoring progress

Reduction in annual emissions due to applied measure

Expected impact in level of concentrations in the projection year (where available)

Expected impact in number of exceedances in the projection year (where available)