Contents

Overview of EU policy: Air quality

Journal:
Manual of European Environmental Policy
ISSN:
1467-0445
E-ISSN:
1740-3529
Publisher:
Earthscan, London, UK
DOI:
10.3763/meep.2010.0014
Author:
Institute for European Environmental Policy
Information last updated:
December 2011
Publication date:
December 2011

In comparison with that on water, Community policy on air pollution was relatively slow to develop. For example, whereas a ‘framework’ Directive controlling emissions of dangerous substances to water had come into effect as early as 1976 (Directive on dangerous substances to water 76/464/EEC), it was not until eight years later that a comparable measure (Directive 84/360/EEC on emissions from industrial plants) was agreed regulating industrial emissions to air. Early legislation on product standards – in particular as regards the sulphur content of gas oil (Directive 75/716/EEC) and lead in petrol (Directive 78/611/EEC) – was motivated as much by the desire to avoid trade distortions as the need to protect public health. Indeed, proposals to establish ambient air quality standards for sulphur dioxide and smoke, and for lead, took four and seven years respectively before agreement could be reached by the Council (as Directives 80/779/EEC and 82/884/EEC).

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