The European Union intends to establish new emission limit values, unified measurements and mandatory action plans.
The Directive (EU) 2024/2881 of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union provides for new regulations and action plans to improve air quality in order to reduce the harmful effects of pollution on human health and the environment. This measure seeks to establish more restrictive emission limit values (ELVs) and critical levels that will directly affect member countries, including Spain.
Limit values, unification of measurements and action plans
One of the key points is the introduction of new limit values for pollutant emissions that are stricter than the previous ones. Compliance will be mandatory for all industrial facilities and activities, which will require an adaptation of each country’s environmental policies and measures.
Another important aspect is the unification of air quality measurements between member states. Currently, measurement methods vary, making it difficult to compare pollutant levels between countries. With the new regulation, common procedures will be determined, ensuring that uniform criteria are used to ensure that they are met. This unification will improve transparency and facilitate the monitoring of emissions across the EU.
The Directive also requires the development of short-term action plans with specific measures in areas where limit values or critical values are not met. The plans will be essential to ensure that areas with high pollution levels can achieve the established indices and improve air quality in a relatively short period of time.
Possible implications for Spain
The transposition of this Directive into Spanish law will determine how it will concretely affect companies and industries in the country. Presumably, Integrated Environmental Authorizations (AAI) and environmental licenses could be affected by early revisions of their authorization or by more restrictive standards that will be introduced as substantial or non-substantial modifications are requested.
European Directive 2024/2881 represents a major step forward in the fight against air pollution. Authorities will have to adapt their policies to the new requirements, while industries will have to adapt their operations to comply with the new regulations, which will require investments in cleaner technologies and stricter control systems.
