The European Network of Environmental Professionals (ENEP) is an online database of environmental professionals from across Europe that is being set up by the European Federation of Associations of Environmental Professionals (EFAEP).    It has now reached the stage where it is accepting entries onto the database from members of constituent bodies of EFAEP and where members are invited to enter their details. 

The two main aims of ENEP are:

1. To facilitate active communication and exchange of knowledge between EFAEP members; and
2. To provide access to the expertise and experience of environmental professionals at the European level.

This will give the environmental professionals of Europe a platform where they can present their professional profiles, where they can get in touch with each other, and where clients and service providers can meet. The IAQM has indirect links to the ENEP and all IAQM members are encouraged to register onto the database.

Access to the ENEP website via the following link:

www.environmentalprofessionals.eu

Those seeking an early resolution on the new EU Air Quality Directive received a Christmas present late last year, when the European Parliament approved a proposal earlier than expected. Formal approval by the Council of Ministers should follow imminently.

The new Directive merges the current EU Air Quality Framework Directive and the first three ‘daughter directives’ that specify standards for air quality in member states.  At the committee stage amendments had been introduced giving long time extensions for some existing limits, and also introduced areas where limit values do not apply. Happily these changes were thrown out for the final Directive.

The new Directive introduces new targets and limit values for PM2.5, and possible derogations for achievement of existing PM10 objectives. In the latter case the Directive allows a three-year exemption on the PM10 limit values for areas that cannot meet the targets "because of site-specific dispersion characteristics, adverse climatic conditions or transboundary contributions".  This exemption would be granted only if Member States submit a plan showing why the targets can’t be met despite measures taken at national and local level.

For PM2.5 the Directive introduces two new limit values and a non-binding target. These are limit values of 25 μg/m3 (maximum) and 20 μg/m3 (average urban background) to be met by 2015, and a nonbinding exposure reduction target to further reduce the background levels by 20% between 2010 and 2020.

The UK introduced its own exposure reduction target in the new Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland launched earlier this year6. The new EU target is tougher (a 20% reduction as opposed to 15%), however its non-binding nature will mean the UK will not be required to raise its game.

Environmental Protection UK sees the new Directive as a mixed bag. Whilst it will do little to improve air quality in the UK, we are pleased that the amendments introduced to weaken the legislation were thrown out for the final approved Directive. The key issue now is to ensure that the new Directive is fully implemented by EU member states. Many EU countries, including the UK, have breached existing limit values with little action taken by the European Commission. It is therefore essential the Commission provides tough enforcement of the limit values in the new Directive to ensure member states provide cleaner, healthier air for their citizens.

Article provided by Environmental Protection UK.  Information provided by Defra for the Air Quality Forum.

Click to download the new Ambient air quality directive