The National Emission Ceilings Regulations 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement in the United Kingdom European Parliament and Council Directive 2001/81/EC relating to national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants(1).

Regulation 3 requires the Secretary of State to ensure that in 2010 and each subsequent year emissions from the United Kingdom of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and ammonia do not exceed the amounts specified in the Schedule.

Regulation 4 requires the Secretary of State to prepare a programme for the progressive reduction of those pollutants. Regulation 4(3) requires public authorities to have regard to the programme when exercising any functions which significantly affect the level of emissions within the United Kingdom of those pollutants.

Regulation 5 requires the Secretary of State to prepare annual inventories of emissions of those pollutants, and projections of emissions of those pollutants in 2010.

These Regulations extend to the United Kingdom and apply to emissions from land, territorial waters, and the continental shelf (regulation 2(2)).

A Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment and a Transposition Note have been prepared. Copies can be obtained from AEQ Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.

(1)

OJ No. L309, 27.11.2001, p. 22.