Legal Situation

In order to protect human health and the environment, the Council of the European Union drew up a directive with air quality standards in April 1999. The Air Quality Framework Directive was transposed into Slovak legislation, mainly into Act No 137/2010 Coll. Of the Law on Air protection and Regulation of Environmental Ministry No 410/2012. The directive establishes Limit values for pollutant concentration in order to maintain the air Quality. Accordingly, the limit value for particulate matter was set at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which may be exceeded on a maximum of 35 days a year. The average annual value for nitrogen dioxide was set at 40 µg/m3. The EU directive obliges competent authorities to draw up action plans for air pollution control. In Slovak the public were not given a good and easy opportunity to participate in the formulation of air quality plans, which are based in air quality-regulated areas. If the limit values are not met due to the lack of regulations or measures, the environmental department of the district is responsible for developing air quality plans. Initially, cities where limit values are exceeded regularly may be requested by applications to take immediate action to comply with the EU limit values. If the city or municipality does not take any action that is likely to improve the situation within a reasonable period, individuals affected may sue the authority that is responsible for drawing up such a plan. Anybody living or working most of their time in a polluted environment may take legal action.

On the 11th of February 2013 the Slovak government adopted a national PM10 reduction strategy, that define basic tools and conditions for measures for a better air quality. In summer 2014 still no air quality measures are implemented.


Ein Projekt von
Partner: Deutsche Umwelthilfe
Partner: Frank Bold
Finanziert durch
Partner: Life

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