Brussels, 07/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European directive limiting the emission of certain atmospheric pollutants from medium-sized combustion plants, such as electricity generators, heating systems and domestic or industrial cooling systems, passed the penultimate stage in Strasbourg on Wednesday 7 October in its formal adoption.
By a huge majority (623 to 70 with 12 abstentions), the European Parliament confirmed the agreement reached in first reading on 23 June by the negotiators from the EP, European Commission and Council of the EU on this legislation, which will for the first time regulate pollution from 143,000 plants with a thermal capacity of between 1 and 50 Megawatts (MW).
EP rapporteur Andrzej Grzyb (EPP Poland) said the legislation fills a gap in the legislation between the ecodesign directive setting standards for combustion plants of up to 1MW and the directive on industrial emissions covering plants of above 50 MW. He said it was good news for air quality in Europe.
The upper values for sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulates for existing combustion plants of more than 5 MW will come into force in 2025, as proposed by the European Commission, but for smaller plants with a thermal capacity of between 1 and 5 MW, generally used by small business the upper limits will not have to be respected until 2030.
In areas breaking the EU's air quality rules, the member states will be required to examine whether stronger limits are required. The legislation also introduces carbon monoxide surveillance rules. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)