COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 19.11.1996 
COM(96) 534 final 
94/0194 (SYN) 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing 
a reciprocal exchange of information and data from networks 
and individual stations measuring ambient air pollution 
within the Member States 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 c (d) 
of the EC Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The Commission adopted a "Proposal for a Council Decision establishing a reciprocal 
exchange of information and data from networks and individual stations measuring 
ambient air pollution within the Member States" on.7 September 1994.1 
The Economic and Social Committee delivered its opinion on 22 February 1995.2 
The European Parliament delivered its opinion at first reading on 16 June 1995.3 
On 29 November 1995 the Commission adopted an amended proposal in accordance with 
Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty. The proposal included - in full, in part or in principle -
10 of the 11 amendments proposed.4 
On 26 February 1996 the Council adopted a common position on the Commission's 
amended proposal.5 
Parliament examined the Council's common position at second reading on 18 September 
1996 and approved it subject to four proposed amendments.6 
The Commission has examined the amendments proposed by Parliament at second 
reading and included all of them in its re-examined proposal. 
Amendment No 1 
This simplifies the title of the proposal. The proposed wording still covers the objective 
of the Decision, but is easier to use in practice. It is acceptable on those grounds. 
Amendments Nos 2 and 3 
These concern the availability to the public, upon request, of the information gathered 
within the framework of the Decision. They are in line with the Commission's policy on 
transparency and public access to information. However, instead of setting up a complex 
and costly system the Commission wishes to use existing means to achieve this end. 
Accordingly, it deems it appropriate to use the network developed by the European 
Environment Agency to disseminate the information, as well as the channels of 
dissemination developed in and by the Member States themselves. 
OJ €281,7.10.1994. 
OJC 110, 2.5.1995. 
OJ C 166, 3.7.1995, p. 177. 
OJC 30, 3.2.1996, p. 8. 
OJC 219, 27.7.1996, p. 1. 
Provisional minutes of the session of 18.9.1996, doc. PE252.049, Part 2, pages 3-4. 
Amendment No 4 
This concerns the preparation by the Commission of a general report on the information 
gathered and on trends in air quality in Europe. Such a publication is clearly necessary 
and useful for informing the public and providing a better understanding of the problems 
in this area, which is why it is being accepted. 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing 
a reciprocal exchange of information and data from networks 
and individual stations measuring ambient air pollution 
within the Member States 
Original text Amended text 
(Amendment No 1) 
Title 
Proposal for a Council Decision 
establishing a reciprocal exchange of 
information and data from networks and 
individual stations measuring ambient air 
pollution within the Member States. Proposal for a Council Decision 
concerning the measurement and 
exchange of information on ambient air 
pollution. 
(Amendment No 2) 
Article 4(3) 
3. Six months after the entry into force 
of this Decision at the latest, the 
Commission will make available to the 
Member States the existing database 
containing the information already 
collected by its services on the subject, 
and software enabling it to be used and 
updated. The Member States shall 
correct, amend and/or supplement that 
information. The updated computer files 
shall be sent to the Commission during 
the second year following the entry into 
force of this Decision and by 1 October 
at the latest. 3. Six months after the entry into force 
of this Decision at the latest, the 
Commission will make available to the 
Member States the existing database 
containing the information already 
collected by its services on the subject, 
and software enabling it to be used and 
updated. The Member States shall 
correct, amend and/or supplement that 
information. The updated computer files 
shall be sent to the Commission during 
the second year following the entry into 
force of this Decision and by 1 October 
at the latest. 
This information will be accessible to the 
public via the information system set up 
on the Internet by the European 
Environment Agency: it may also be 
supplied by the Agency or bv the 
Member States upon request. 
(Amendment No 3) 
Article S(Q 
6. The Commission shall include the 
transmitted data in its database and 
prepare each year a technical report on 
the information collected and shall make 
available to the Member States the 
updated "results" database. This report 
will only be based on validated data. 6. The Commission shall include the 
transmitted data in its database and 
prepare each year a technical report on 
the information collected and shall make 
available to the Member States the 
updated "results" database. 
The information will be accessible to the 
public via the informatipn system set up 
OJ2 the Internet bv the European 
Environment Agency; it may also be 
supplied by the Agency upon request. 
The information, whether accessible. 
supplied or included in the report, will be 
based only on validated data. 
(Amendment No 4) 
?â) (new) 
The Commission shall prepare a general 
report for the public, summarising the 
collected data and outlining the. 
underlying trends in air quality in the 
European Union. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 534 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 14 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-539-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-10631-3 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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