Article 7

Assessment of concentrations 1. The upper and lower assessment thresholds for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead for the purposes of Article 6 of Directive 96/62/EC shall be those laid down in Section I of Annex V. The classification of each zone or agglomeration for the purposes of the same Article 6 shall be reviewed at least every five years in accordance with the procedure laid down in Section II of Annex V. Classification shall be reviewed earlier in the event of significant changes in activities relevant to ambient concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide or, where relevant, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter or lead. 2. The criteria for determining the location of sampling points for the measurement of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air shall be those listed in Annex VI. The minimum number of sampling points for fixed measurements of concentrations of each relevant pollutant shall be as laid down in Annex VII and they shall be installed in each zone or agglomeration within which measurement is required if fixed measurement is the sole source of data on concentrations within it. 3. For zones and agglomerations within which information from fixed measurement stations is supplemented by information from other sources, such as emission inventories, indicative measurement methods and air-quality modelling, the number of fixed measuring stations to be installed and the spatial resolution of other techniques shall be sufficient for the concentrations of air pollutants to be established in accordance with Section I of Annex VI and Section I of Annex VIII. 4. For zones and agglomerations within which measurement is not required, modelling or objective-estimation techniques may be used. 5. The reference methods for the analysis of sulphur dioxide, of nitrogen dioxide and of oxides of nitrogen and for the sampling and analysis of lead shall be as laid down in Sections I to III of Annex IX. The reference method for the sampling and measurement of PM10 shall be as laid down in Section IV of Annex IX. The provisional reference method for the sampling and measurement of PM2,5 shall be as laid down in Section V of Annex IX. The reference techniques for air-quality modelling shall be as laid down in Section VI of Annex IX. 6. The date by which Member States shall inform the Commission of the methods they have used for the preliminary assessment of air quality under Article 11(1)(d) of Directive 96/62/EC shall be eighteen months after the entry into force of this Directive. 7. Any amendments necessary to adapt this Article and Annexes V to IX to scientific and technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12 of Directive 96/62/EC.

← art_6__para · All articles · art_7__para →

Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-12 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.