BETA


2014/0359(NLE) Convention (1979) on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution: amendment to the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on heavy metals

Progress: Procedure completed, awaiting publication in Official Journal

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead ENVI LA VIA Giovanni (icon: PPE PPE) PAOLUCCI Massimo (icon: S&D S&D), JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli (icon: ALDE ALDE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
TFEU 192-p1, TFEU 218-p6a

Events

2016/04/21
   EP/CSL - Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
2016/02/02
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2016/02/02
   EP - Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 617 votes to 25, with 30 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the acceptance of the Amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

Following the recommendation from its Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Parliament gave its consent to acceptance of the Amendments to the Protocol.

To recall, the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution is intended to protect the human environment against air pollution. The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emission into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg).

Documents
2016/01/07
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Giovanni LA VIA (EPP, IT) on the draft Council decision on the acceptance of the Amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to acceptance of the Amendments to the Protocol.

To recall, the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution is intended to protect the human environment against air pollution. Signed in 1979 and entering into force in 1983, the Convention was the first international legally binding instrument in this area.

The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emission into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). It requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions for these three metals below their levels in 1990 or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995.

The accession of the Community to the 1998 Protocol was approved on behalf of the Community by Council Decision 2001/379/EC. The Protocol, which entered into force on 29 December 2003, has been transposed into EU law through several instruments.

In December 2012, the Protocol was amended by Decisions 2012/5, 2012/6 and 2012/7 .

The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources, as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the amended Protocol before the end of 2019, including countries in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.

As set out in the short justification in the recommendation, the amendment to the Protocol is already largely covered by EU legislation, and will be further transposed via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

The draft Council Decision lists the text of the amendment to the Protocol via Decision 2012/5 in its Annex . The amendment is fully consistent with existing EU legislation.

The ratification of the amendment will be an important step towards a higher level of protection of human health and the environment from transboundary air pollution. Members therefore welcomed the draft Council Decision and proposed that Parliament gives its consent.

Documents
2015/12/22
   EP - Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
2015/11/24
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2015/06/24
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
2015/06/02
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region.

To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals which seeks to further protect human health and the environment, including through the updating of emission limit values addressing emissions of air pollutants at source.

The Union is a party to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals, following its approval on 4 April 2001.

In 2012, the parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the Convention adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol . The scope was extended with a view to further improving the protection of human health and the environment, including through the updating of emission limit values that addressed emissions of air pollutants at source.

The amendments set out in Decision 2012/6 entered into force and became effective, whereas the amendments set out in Decision 2012/5 require acceptance by the parties to the Protocol.

The amendments to the Protocol set out in Decision 2012/5 should therefore be accepted on behalf of the Union,

CONTENT: the Council is invited to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

Scope of the Protocol : this Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995).

The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali.

This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

Documents
2015/01/27
   EP - LA VIA Giovanni (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in ENVI
2015/01/09
   Preparatory document
Details

PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region.

To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants which aims to control, reduce or eliminate discharges, emissions and losses of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

The Parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

Decision 2012/6 entered into force and has become effective. However, Decision 2012/5 requires ratification by the Parties to the Protocol.

CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

This Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995).

The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali.

This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmopsheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0002/2016 - Giovanni La Via - approbation #

2016/02/02 Outcome: +: 617, 0: 30, -: 25
DE IT PL ES GB RO FR BE PT HU BG NL CZ SE EL AT DK FI SK LT HR SI LV LU IE EE MT CY
Total
87
60
51
44
63
31
69
20
18
18
17
23
18
19
18
16
13
12
12
10
10
8
7
6
6
6
5
4
icon: PPE PPE
201

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Finland PPE

2
2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Ireland PPE

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Cyprus PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
167

Belgium S&D

3

Netherlands S&D

3

Croatia S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Cyprus S&D

1
icon: ECR ECR
66

Italy ECR

2

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Bulgaria ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Greece ECR

For (1)

1
2

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
64

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Romania ALDE

3

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

3

Croatia ALDE

2

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

3
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
46

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
39

Italy GUE/NGL

2

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

2

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: EFDD EFDD
42

Poland EFDD

1

France EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
11

Germany NI

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Poland NI

1

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

1

France NI

Against (1)

2

Hungary NI

For (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
35
2

United Kingdom ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Romania ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

3

Austria ENF

For (1)

3

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

events/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
events/4/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A8-2016-0002&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-8-2016-0002_EN.html
events/6/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0026
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2016-0026_EN.html
events/0
date
2015-01-09T00:00:00
type
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docs
summary
events/0
date
2015-01-09T00:00:00
type
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body
EC
docs
summary
events/4/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2016-0002&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A8-2016-0002&language=EN
events/6/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0026
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0026
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
rapporteur
name: LA VIA Giovanni date: 2015-01-27T00:00:00 group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
date
2015-01-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: LA VIA Giovanni group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
events/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
events/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
date
2015-01-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: LA VIA Giovanni group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
date
2015-01-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: LA VIA Giovanni group: Group of European People's Party abbr: EPP
shadows
events/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
activities
  • date: 2015-01-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf title: COM(2014)0750 type: Initial legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52014PC0750:EN body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/environment_en title: Environment Commissioner: VELLA Karmenu type: Initial legislative proposal published
  • date: 2015-06-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=8648%2F15&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC type: Legislative proposal published title: 08648/2015 body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/environment_en title: Environment Commissioner: VELLA Karmenu type: Legislative proposal published
  • date: 2015-06-24T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: PAOLUCCI Massimo group: ALDE name: JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2015-01-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: EPP name: LA VIA Giovanni
  • date: 2015-12-22T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: PAOLUCCI Massimo group: ALDE name: JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2015-01-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: EPP name: LA VIA Giovanni
  • body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2016-0002&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A8-0002/2016 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: PAOLUCCI Massimo group: ALDE name: JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2015-01-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: EPP name: LA VIA Giovanni date: 2016-01-07T00:00:00
  • date: 2016-02-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=26606&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0026 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0026/2016 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2016-04-21T00:00:00 body: EP/CSL type: Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
commission
  • body: EC dg: Environment commissioner: VELLA Karmenu
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
date
2015-01-27T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: LA VIA Giovanni group: Group of European People's Party abbr: EPP
shadows
committees/0
body
EP
shadows
responsible
True
committee
ENVI
date
2015-01-27T00:00:00
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
rapporteur
group: EPP name: LA VIA Giovanni
docs
  • date: 2015-11-24T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE551.880 title: PE551.880 type: Committee draft report body: EP
events
  • date: 2015-01-09T00:00:00 type: Initial legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf title: COM(2014)0750 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2014&nu_doc=0750 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region. To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants which aims to control, reduce or eliminate discharges, emissions and losses of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The Parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals. Decision 2012/6 entered into force and has become effective. However, Decision 2012/5 requires ratification by the Parties to the Protocol. CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals. This Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995). The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019. The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali. This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmopsheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.
  • date: 2015-06-02T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=8648%2F15&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 08648/2015 summary: PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region. To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals which seeks to further protect human health and the environment, including through the updating of emission limit values addressing emissions of air pollutants at source. The Union is a party to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals, following its approval on 4 April 2001. In 2012, the parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the Convention adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol . The scope was extended with a view to further improving the protection of human health and the environment, including through the updating of emission limit values that addressed emissions of air pollutants at source. The amendments set out in Decision 2012/6 entered into force and became effective, whereas the amendments set out in Decision 2012/5 require acceptance by the parties to the Protocol. The amendments to the Protocol set out in Decision 2012/5 should therefore be accepted on behalf of the Union, CONTENT: the Council is invited to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals. Scope of the Protocol : this Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995). The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019. The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali. This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.
  • date: 2015-06-24T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2015-12-22T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2016-01-07T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2016-0002&language=EN title: A8-0002/2016 summary: The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Giovanni LA VIA (EPP, IT) on the draft Council decision on the acceptance of the Amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals. The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to acceptance of the Amendments to the Protocol. To recall, the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution is intended to protect the human environment against air pollution. Signed in 1979 and entering into force in 1983, the Convention was the first international legally binding instrument in this area. The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emission into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). It requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions for these three metals below their levels in 1990 or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995. The accession of the Community to the 1998 Protocol was approved on behalf of the Community by Council Decision 2001/379/EC. The Protocol, which entered into force on 29 December 2003, has been transposed into EU law through several instruments. In December 2012, the Protocol was amended by Decisions 2012/5, 2012/6 and 2012/7 . The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources, as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the amended Protocol before the end of 2019, including countries in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. As set out in the short justification in the recommendation, the amendment to the Protocol is already largely covered by EU legislation, and will be further transposed via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury. The draft Council Decision lists the text of the amendment to the Protocol via Decision 2012/5 in its Annex . The amendment is fully consistent with existing EU legislation. The ratification of the amendment will be an important step towards a higher level of protection of human health and the environment from transboundary air pollution. Members therefore welcomed the draft Council Decision and proposed that Parliament gives its consent.
  • date: 2016-02-02T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=26606&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2016-02-02T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0026 title: T8-0026/2016 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 617 votes to 25, with 30 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the acceptance of the Amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals. Following the recommendation from its Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Parliament gave its consent to acceptance of the Amendments to the Protocol. To recall, the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution is intended to protect the human environment against air pollution. The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emission into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg).
  • date: 2016-04-21T00:00:00 type: Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament body: EP/CSL
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/environment_en title: Environment commissioner: VELLA Karmenu
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Rules of Procedure EP 159
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ENVI/8/02491
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  • 3.70.02 Atmospheric pollution, motor vehicle pollution
  • 3.70.09 Transfrontier pollution
  • 3.70.18 International and regional environment protection measures and agreements
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3.70.18
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  • The European Parliament adopted by 617 votes to 25, with 30 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the acceptance of the Amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    Following the recommendation from its Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Parliament gave its consent to acceptance of the Amendments to the Protocol.

    To recall, the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution is intended to protect the human environment against air pollution. The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emission into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg).

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  • The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Giovanni LA VIA (EPP, IT) on the draft Council decision on the acceptance of the Amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to acceptance of the Amendments to the Protocol.

    To recall, the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution is intended to protect the human environment against air pollution. Signed in 1979 and entering into force in 1983, the Convention was the first international legally binding instrument in this area.

    The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emission into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). It requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions for these three metals below their levels in 1990 or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995.

    The accession of the Community to the 1998 Protocol was approved on behalf of the Community by Council Decision 2001/379/EC. The Protocol, which entered into force on 29 December 2003, has been transposed into EU law through several instruments.

    In December 2012, the Protocol was amended by Decisions 2012/5, 2012/6 and 2012/7.

    The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources, as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the amended Protocol before the end of 2019, including countries in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.  

    As set out in the short justification in the recommendation, the amendment to the Protocol is already largely covered by EU legislation, and will be further transposed via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

    The draft Council Decision lists the text of the amendment to the Protocol via Decision 2012/5 in its Annex. The amendment is fully consistent with existing EU legislation.

    The ratification of the amendment will be an important step towards a higher level of protection of human health and the environment from transboundary air pollution. Members therefore welcomed the draft Council Decision and proposed that Parliament gives its consent.

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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
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  • PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

    BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region.

    To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals which seeks to further protect human health and the environment, including through the updating of emission limit values addressing emissions of air pollutants at source.

    The Union is a party to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals, following its approval on 4 April 2001.

    In 2012, the parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the Convention adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol. The scope was extended with a view to further improving the protection of human health and the environment, including through the updating of emission limit values that addressed emissions of air pollutants at source.

    The amendments set out in Decision 2012/6 entered into force and became effective, whereas the amendments set out in Decision 2012/5 require acceptance by the parties to the Protocol.

    The amendments to the Protocol set out in Decision 2012/5 should therefore be accepted on behalf of the Union,

    CONTENT: the Council is invited to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the amendments to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    Scope of the Protocol: this Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995).

    The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

    The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali.

    This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

activities/2
date
2015-06-24T00:00:00
body
EP
type
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
committees
body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: PAOLUCCI Massimo group: ALDE name: JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2015-01-27T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: EPP name: LA VIA Giovanni
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
ENVI/8/02491
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Preparatory phase in Parliament
New
Awaiting committee decision
activities/0/docs/0/url
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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
activities/0/docs/0/url
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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
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activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

    BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region.

    To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants which aims to control, reduce or eliminate discharges, emissions and losses of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

    The Parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    Decision 2012/6 entered into force and has become effective. However, Decision 2012/5 requires ratification by the Parties to the Protocol.

    CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    This Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995).

    The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

    The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali.

    This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmopsheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

activities/0/docs/0/url
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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

    BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region.

    To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants which aims to control, reduce or eliminate discharges, emissions and losses of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

    The Parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    Decision 2012/6 entered into force and has become effective. However, Decision 2012/5 requires ratification by the Parties to the Protocol.

    CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    This Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995).

    The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

    The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali.

    This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmopsheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

activities/0/docs/0/type
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Legislative proposal published
New
Initial legislative proposal published
activities/0/docs/0/url
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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
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activities/0/type
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Legislative proposal published
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Initial legislative proposal published
activities/1
date
2015-06-02T00:00:00
docs
url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=8648%2F15&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC type: Legislative proposal published title: 08648/2015
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Legislative proposal published
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EC
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DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/ title: Environment Commissioner: VELLA Karmenu
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CELEX:52014PC0750:EN
activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52014PC0750:EN
activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52014PC0750:EN
activities/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf
activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

    BACKGROUND: the Union is a Party to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution following its approval in 1981. The Convention is the main international legal framework for cooperation and measures to limit and gradually reduce and prevent air pollution and its adverse effects upon human health and the environment in the UNECE region.

    To date, the Convention has been extended by eight Protocols, including the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants which aims to control, reduce or eliminate discharges, emissions and losses of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

    The Parties present at the 31st session of the Executive Body of the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution adopted by consensus Decisions 2012/5 and 2012/6 amending the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    Decision 2012/6 entered into force and has become effective. However, Decision 2012/5 requires ratification by the Parties to the Protocol.

    CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Amendment to the Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals.

    This Protocol aims to reduce and control anthropogenic emissions into the air of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), as harmful heavy metals subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport, with a view to further protecting human health and the environment. In this respect, it requires Parties to reduce their total annual emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995).

    The amended Protocol sets out, in particular, stricter emission limit values for dust emissions from certain major stationary sources as well as flexible transitional arrangements that shall benefit those Parties that will accede the Protocol, as amended, between 1st January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

    The amendment to the Protocol is largely covered by current EU law notably via existing emission source control legislation, including above-mentioned Directive 2010/75/EU and the Commission Implementing Decisions adopted in accordance with this Directive and which establish the applicable BAT conclusions for various industrial sectors, such as the manufacture of glass and the production of iron and steel, cement, lime and magnesium oxide and chlor-alkali.

    This amendment shall be further transposed in particular via a new Directive setting updated national emission ceilings for certain atmopsheric pollutants and providing for annual national emission inventories that shall cover, among others, emissions of lead, cadmium and mercury.

committees/0/date
2015-01-27T00:00:00
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  • group: EPP name: LA VIA Giovanni
committees/0/shadows
  • group: S&D name: PAOLUCCI Massimo
  • group: ALDE name: JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli
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DG
Commissioner
VELLA Karmenu
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EC
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VELLA Karmenu
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  • date: 2015-01-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2014/0750/COM_COM(2014)0750_EN.pdf celexid: CELEX:52014PC0750:EN type: Legislative proposal published title: COM(2014)0750 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC commission:
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  • body: EP responsible: True committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee: ENVI
links
other
    procedure
    reference
    2014/0359(NLE)
    title
    Convention (1979) on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution: amendment to the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on heavy metals
    legal_basis
    stage_reached
    Preparatory phase in Parliament
    summary
    See also Decision 2004/259/EC
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    Consent by Parliament
    type
    NLE - Non-legislative enactments
    subject