Air Quality Directive (AQD)

For industrial installations, EU-wide emission limit values were established only for very few types of installations, as Member States were reluctant to accept such emission limit values for stationary sources. At present, such emission limit values continue to exist for large combustion plants      , for waste incinerators, installations and activities that use organic solvents, and installations for the production of titanium dioxide (Annexes V to VIII, Directive 2010/75/EC). The emission limit values concern sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulates; for waste incinerators, also emission limit values for dioxins and furans - two highly toxic chemical substances generated by the incineration process - as well as for a number of heavy metals were fixed. The provisions are sometimes very differentiated, according to the fuel used, the question, whether an "indigenous" fuel (coal) was used, the age or size of the installation etc. Derogation possibilities and transition periods further complicate the provisions.

To what extent these provisions on industrial installations are sufficient, remains to be seen. In early 2016 and in regular intervals thereafter, European Commission is obliged to publish a report which will assess, whether there is a need for establishing EU-wide minimum requirements for emission limit values. European Commission shall make, if appropriate, legislative proposals in this regard. Much will therefore depend on the question of whether the monitoring of emissions from industrial installations will effectively contribute to reducing the concentration of pollutants in the air all over EU.