On Thursday 8 November, the European Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Belgium, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria on the subject of their poor air quality.
The Commission points out that Belgium has “persistently” failed to comply with its obligation regarding the binding limit values for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a polluting gas, in the region of Brussels since the values came into force, in 2010. The town of Antwerp also exceeds the authorised values, despite measures set in place to introduce low-emission areas.
The Commission explains that the measures implemented are not enough and questions the way air quality is monitored in Belgium, especially the points for measuring NO2 in Brussels. It has therefore decided to send a letter of formal notice to Belgium – to which that country has two months to reply – before a reasoned opinion is sent.
When it comes to Bulgaria, the Commission calls on Sofia to comply fully with the ruling of the EU Court of Justice on 5 April 2017 (C-488/15). The Court had felt that Bulgaria failed in its obligations under the directive on air quality (Directive 2008/50/EC), as it did not respect the limit values applicable to concentrations of PM10 (airborne particles with a diameter below 10 micrometres).
The Commission states it is above all concerned by the slowness of change in the national legislation, including concerning the fight against sodium emissions and coal ash from domestic heating, as well as the lack of a coordinated approach between the environmental authorities and the other authorities concerned at national and local levels. Bulgaria has two months in which to respond.
Furthermore, the Commission expects Bulgaria and the Czech Republic to bring their national legislation into line with Directive 2008/50/EC. It is concerned by the weak measures taken in order to shorten the periods for exceeding limit values in the Bulgarian legislation. The Czech Republic, for its part, has not “effectively” implemented the provisions relating to limit values and certain definitions of “volatile organic components”. Here too, the two member states have two months in which to respond. Failing this, the Commission may decide to send them a reasoned opinion. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)