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Regulations

Directive 2008/50/EC for quality of air in Europe

 

On 11 June 2008 the Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe entered into force. The new Directive merges Directives 96/62/EC, 1999/30/EC, 2000/69/EC and 2000/3/EC.  Those Directives were repealed on the date of transposition of the new Directive, i.e.  11 June 2010.


This section is currently being modified. There may be disruptions or inaccuracies during the update phase.

 

regulations-front.jpgThe follow-up and management of Ambient Air Quality in Cyprus is performed under the providences of the Quality of Ambient Air Law of 2002 (N.188(J)/2002) and three series of Regulations that determine limits for the concentrations of certain pollutants in ambient air.

 

The responsible Ministry for the application of the above Law and Regulations is the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance via the Department of Labour Inspection and more specifically the Air Quality Sector, which has the essential infrastructure, the necessary know-how, the experience and the equipment for the application of the aforementioned Legislation.

 

The mentioned responsible Ministry is also, in charge for the application of the European Legislation regarding Ambient Air Quality. The Framework Directive 96/62/EC, along with the Daughter Directives (97/101/EC, 1999/30/EC, 2000/69/EC, 2002/3/EC, 2004/107/EC), place a structure on how should the Member States of the European Union, included Cyprus, handle the subjects of Ambient Air Quality, and the limit values for the concentrations of various pollutants in the atmosphere are determined.
Cyprus Legislation
European Union Legislation

 

The purpose of the Ambient Air Quality Law of 2002 (Ν.188(Ι)/2002) is to:cyflag.gif

a)   Employ and designate target values for the quality of ambient air in the Republic of Cyprus

b)   Evaluate ambient air quality based on common methods and criteria set by the European Union

c)   Attain all the necessary information regarding the quality of ambient air and inform the public

d)   Maintain ambient air quality where it is good or otherwise improve it.

 

Generally, this specific Law is introducing a new philosophy in relation to the evaluation and maintenance of ambient air, in order to protect the environment and human health as a whole. Under this framework, it is taken into consideration, not only the pollution derived from industrial sites, but also pollution derived from cars, central heating, airplanes, ships and even natural sources.

 

The purpose of the ambient air quality Legislation of 2002 (and the relevant regulations ΚΔΠ 574/2002, ΚΔΠ 530/2002 and ΚΔΠ 516/2002) is to define limit values for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, lead, ozone, benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air, in order to prevent, avert or reduce the harmful effects in human health and the environment.

The Legislation of the Republic of Cyprus is being updated to adopt the relevant EU legislation. In this framework Law 77(I)/201 is adopting Dir 2008/50/EC concerning "Clean Air for Europe" and repeals the prev. Legislation on ambient air quality. 

Lastly, another purpose of the legal and regulatory framework is the evaluation of the concentrations of the aforementioned pollutants in ambient air, the dissemination of this information to the public, as well as the maintenance and improvement of ambient air quality in relation to these pollutants.


The European Union has developed an extensive body of legislation which establishes health based standards and objectives for a number of pollutants in air. These standards and objectives are part of the Cyprus legislation and regulations, and are summarized in the table below.

 

Table: Limit values for PM2.5, SO2, NO2, PM10, Pb, CO, Benzene, O3, As, Cd, Ni and PAHs, according to the legislation


 Pollutant

Concentration limit value

Averaging period

Legal nature

Permitted exceedences each year

Fine articles (PM2.5)

25 µg/m3

1 year

Target value enters into force 1.1.2010
Limit value enters into force 1.1.2015

                  n/a

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

350 µg/m3

1 hour

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2005

24

125 µg/m3

24 hours

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2005

3

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

200 µg/m3

1 hour

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2010

18

40 µg/m3

1 year

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2010

n/a

PM10

50 µg/m3

24 hours

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2005

35

40 µg/m3

1 year

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2005

n/a

Lead (Pb)

0.5 µg/m3

1 year

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2005 (or 1.1.2010 in the immediate vicinity of specific, notified industrial sources; and a 1.0 µg/m3 limit value applies from 1.1.2005 to 31.12.2009)

n/a

Carbon monoxide (CO)

10 mg/m3

Maximum daily 8 hour mean

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2005

n/a

Benzene

5 µg/m3

1 year

Limit value enters into force 1.1.2010

n/a

Ozone

120 µg/m3

Maximum daily 8 hour mean

Target value enters into force 1.1.2010

25 days averaged over 3 years

Arsenic (As)

6 ng/m3

1 year

Target value enters into force 31.12.2012

n/a

Cadmium (Cd)

5 ng/m3

1 year

Target value enters into force 31.12.2012

n/a

Nickel (Ni)

20 ng/m3

1 year

Target value enters into force 31.12.2012

n/a

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

1 ng/m3
(expressed as  concentration of Benzo(a)pyrene)

1 year

Target value enters into force 31.12.2012

n/a

The average exposure indicator (AEI) is determined as a 3-year running annual mean PM2.5 concentration averaged over the selected monitoring stations in agglomerations and larger urban areas, set in urban background locations to best assess the PM2.5 exposure to the general population.

Title

Metric

Averaging period

Legal nature

Permitted exceedences each year

PM2.5
Exposure concentration obligation

20 µg/m3
(AEI)

Based on 3 year average

Legally binding in 2015 (years 2013,2014,2015)

               n/a

PM2.5
Exposure reduction target

Percentage reduction
+ all measures to reach 18 µg/m3
(AEI)

Based on 3 year average

Reduction to be attained where possible in 2020, determined on the basis of the value of exposure indicator in 2010

               n/a

Depending on the value of AEI in 2010, a percentage reduction requirement ( 0,10,15, or 20%) is set in the Directive. If AEI in 2010 is assessed to be over 22 µg/m3, all appropriate measures need to be taken to achieve 18 µg/m3 by 2020.


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