Brussels, 10 December 2024
Today, stricter European air quality standards come into force. Member States now have two years to incorporate them into their national legislation. These new standards, aligned with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, will better protect the health of Europeans and contribute to achieving the European Union’s goal of “zero pollution” by 2050. The revised directive introduces stricter standards for twelve air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The annual permissible limit value for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is reduced by more than half compared to previous standards, reducing the negative impact of air pollution on human health.
The new legislation also introduces measures to protect citizens’ rights, including the right to compensation for health damage caused by air pollution. It clarifies access to justice, provides for effective penalties and improves information for the general public on air quality and its effects on human health.
Air pollution is a serious environmental threat to health, causing 250,000 premature deaths per year in Europe, and contributing to serious diseases such as stroke, cancer and diabetes. It disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, especially children, the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
EU Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said: “Every year, polluted air causes around 250,000 premature deaths and costs the EU economy up to €850 billion. The new air quality rules will improve the quality of life for millions of Europeans. They will also better protect our biodiversity and ecosystems, while boosting our economy. The new rules mark an important step towards a competitive pollution-free Europe, making pollution a problem of the past and clean air our future reality. »
More information on the new air quality rules can be found online.