COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 268 final 
Brussels, 17 July 1991 
PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION 
ON ACCESSION BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 
TO THE PROTOCOL TO THE GENEVA CONVENTION ON LONG-RANGE 
TRANSBOUNDARY AIR POLLUTION ON THE REDUCTION OF EMISSIONS OF 
NITROGEN OXIDES OR THEIR TRANSBOUNDARY FLUXES 
(presented by the Commission) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
1. Introduction 
The Community and all the Member States are contracting parties to 
the Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution (1979 Geneva 
Convention), as drawn up by the Economic Commission for Europe of the 
United Nations. 
The Protocol on the reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) 
or their transboundary fluxes was established as part of that 
Convention. 
The Community has extensive legislation on the control of air 
pollution which, tightened up where necessary, should enable the 
Community to meet the fundamental obligations laid down by the NOx 
Protocol. 
Eleven of the Community Member States have signed the NOx Protocol. 
The Commission proposes that the Council should decide on accession 
by the European Economic Community to the Protocol on the reduction 
of emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes. 
2. The NOx Protocol 
In Its fundamental obligations the NOx Protocol provides that the 
contracting parties should, as a first step and as soon as possible, 
take effective measures to control and/or reduce their annual 
national emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes, 
to the effect that, by 31 December 1994 at the latest, the latter are 
not higher than their annual national emissions of nitrogen oxides or 
the transboundary fluxes of these emissions during the 1987 calendar 
year or any other previous year to be specified on signature of the 
Protocol or accession thereto, on condition that, as regards any 
contracting party specifying any previous year, Its transboundary 
national fluxes or Its national emissions of nitrogen oxides over the 
period from 1 January 1987 to 1 January 1996 do not exceed, on annual 
average, Its transboundary fluxes or Its national emissions for the 
1987 calendar year. 
Furthermore, these obligations are completed two years after entry 
Into force of the Protocol by the following measures: 
application of emission standards for new fixed and mobile 
sources based on the best available and economically acceptable 
technologies; 
adoption of antl-pollution measures for existing large fixed 
sources. 
The contracting parties undertook to negotiate, six months after the 
entry Into force of the Protocol (July 1991) more rigorous measures, 
and In particular, reductions in national annual emissions based on 
internationally acceptable critical loads. 
2 -
The Protocol also provides for measures geared to: 
technology exchange; 
adequate availability of unleaded fuel; 
diverse research and monitoring activities; 
exchange of Information and notification to the executive body 
of the programmes, policies and strategies which the contracting 
parties are obliged to establish. 
3. COMMUNITY LEGAL PROVISIONS CONCERNED 
3.1 Existing directives 
The Community has already adopted the following legal provisions 
designed to reduce the emissions of NOx and to control their 
concentrations in the air: 
(a) Directive 84/360/EEC on the combating of air pollution from 
Industrial plants;1 
(b) Directive 85/203/EEC on air quality standards for nitorgen 
dioxide;2 
(c) Directive 85/210/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the 
Member States concerning the lead content of petrol;3 
(d) Directives 88/76/EEC and 89/458/EEC on air pollution from 
private cars and small capacity (less than 1400 cc) private cars 
respect Ively;4 
(e) Directive 88/77/EEC on air pollution from utility vehicles;5 
(f) Directive 88/609/EEC on the limitation of emissions of certain 
pollutants into the air from large combustion plants.6 
These measures should enable the Community to meet its obligations 
concerning the stabilization of NOx emissions and, In particular, the 
obiigatIons to: 
establish emission standards for certain new fixed sources (f) 
on the basis of the best available technologies; 
establish emission standards for certain new mobile sources (d 
and e) on the basis of the best available technologies; 
adopt anti-pollution measures for certain existing fixed sources 
(a and f); 
use the best available technology not Involving excessive costs 
(fixed sources) (a); 
introduce unleaded petrol in general in the Community (c). 
1 OJ No L 188, 16.7.1984, p. 20. 
2 OJ No L 87, 27.3.1985, p.1. 
3 OJ No L 372, 31.12.1985, p. 37 
4 OJ No L 36, 9.2.1988, p. 1 
OJ No L 226, 3.8.1989, p. 1. 
5 OJ No L 36, 9.2.1988, p. 33. 
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3.2 Development of Community legislation and future work on the 
control of NOx emissions 
At meetings held In December 1990 and March 1991 the Council agreed 
to tighten up the legislation on emissions of certain pollutants Into 
the air from private cars and heavy goods vehicles. 
Furthermore, the Commission plans shortly to submit to the Council a 
proposal on the limitation of air pollution due to gas turbines. 
A number of other policies pursued by the Community In energy or 
research will enable it to participate In an exchange of technologies 
and in the work to be undertaken as part of the Protocol. 
3.3 NOx emissions In the Community 
As part of the CORINAIR programme, the Commission has drawn up an 
Inventory of emissions of SO2» NOx and volatile organic compounds 
for the year 1985. 
For the major categories of emitters the picture for NOx emissions is 
as fol lows: 
Sources Emissions NOx 
(kt) (%) 
Traffic 5 422 50 
Large combustion 
plants (> 50 MW) 3 987 37 
Others 1 471 13 
TOTAL 10 880 100 
Table 1: Emissions of NOx in the Community In 1985 
Some experts2 felt that the value attributed to NOx emissions from 
traffic was slightly underestimated and proposed a value of 6237 kt, 
which would bring the total to 11 695 kt. 
The Commission does not have the corresponding figures for 1987. 
Under the Geneva Convention the contracting parties must give notice 
of their annual emission levels. 
1 Residential and services, Industrial processes 
2 Study on the forecast of emissions from motor vehicles In the European 
• - ,. «, „ I,. I I „ 
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The figures available for 1985 and 1987 are 11 400 kt and 11 659 kt 
respectively.3 If, to take account of German unification, the 
figures supplied by the GDR are added, the totals come to 12 355 kt 
and 12 660 kt. 
As regards the 1987 values, Greece and Spain had not yet communicated 
their emission levels and thus for these two countries the 1985 
emission levels were simply added to the 1987 totals. 
Any difference for these two countries between 1985 and 1987 would 
probably show a slight Increase in emissions. 
The approach taken Is to keep, for 1987, the 1985 figures, which are 
lower than the level provided for by the Protocol and hence more 
stringent in terms of the total emission level to be taken by the 
Community as a basis for stabilization. 
Table 2 Indicates the information available for emissions In 1985 and 
1987. 
CORINAIR COR/SAM1 UN-ECE2 UN-ECE/GDR3 
85 (kt) 
87 (kt) 10880 11695 11400 12355 
11659 12660* J 
Table 2: Inventories of N0X emissions available for 1985 and 1987 
At present the best Inventories of NOx have a margin of error of 
around 15%. 
The figures In the various Inventories of NOx emissions In the 
Community in 1985 are within this margin of error. 
For 1987 the Community level finally adopted of N0X emissions 
(including the GDR) will be 12660 kt. 
The forecast for N0X emissions for the Protocol target year, i.e. 
1994, Is based on the following hypotheses: 
1. The number of vehicles Is extrapolated from the trend between 
1970 and 1985 and from a number of socioeconomic parameters 
(GDP, number of households, road network, etc.). 
3 EB.AIR/GE.I/16/Add.1. 
1 CORINAIR values amended In accordance with SAMARAS et al. 
2 Values communicated by the contracting parties to the Geneva Convention 
(Community total). 
3 Ditto + GDR. 
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The estimate of emissions due to traffic takes account of 
directives already adopted by the Council, of proposals for 
directives made by the Commission4 and of accelerated measures 
taken by some Member States. 
The directive on large combustion plants sets NOx emission 
reduction targets for all the Member States to be achieved, for 
existing plants, In 1993 and 1998. 
Some Member States can take advantage of an additional period of 
two years (Germany + former GDR: 3 years) to achieve the 1993 
target. 
New plants put Into service up to 1992 are counted as existing 
plants. 
Only plants put Into service between 1992 and 1995 are regarded 
as new plants. 
They comply with the emission limits laid down by the Directive. 
Plant capacity of some 10 600 MWe is likely tobe brought into 
service In the Community between 1992 and 1995. 
Taking all types of fuel together, the Increase in consumption 
Is estimated at 9.6% for Industrial processes and 15% for the 
residential and services sector. 
However, this estmate does not take account of reductions that 
might be achieved In some Member States. 
The N0X emission figures for the former East Germany are kept 
at their 1987 level of 1 001 kt (probably a conservative 
hypothesis). 
The estimated emissions of N0X In the Community In 1994 are as 
fol lows: 
Sources Emissions 
GDR 1001 
Traffic 6751 
Large combustion plants 3452 
Others 1632 
Total 12836* 
Table 3: Estimates of emissions of N0X In the Community In 1994 
4. CONCLUSION 
A look at the figures* In Tables 2 and 3 shows that for 1994 the 
emission levels of N0X In the Community will be barely higher than 
In 1987. 
4 OJ NO C 81, 30.3.1990; 
C0M(90)174 final. 
* Estimated value for the tarcet year (end of 1994) 
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However, given a number of stringent hypotheses taken and a margin of 
error Inherent In forecasts of emissions of this type of pollutant 
which are far 
greater than this slight Increase, the Commission takes the view that 
the Community Is already In a position to stabilize Its emissions of 
N0X by 1994 at the 1987 level. Where necessary, in the light of 
future Inventories, the Commission will put forward additional 
measures to reduce emissions to fulfil this obligation. 
With the exception of Portugal all the Member States have signed the 
N0X Protocol.1 in addition, some Member States have signed a 
declaration announcing their Intention to reduce, by 1998 at the 
latest, their annual level of N0X emissions by 30%, this reduction 
being calculated on the basis of the level of emissions in any year 
between 1980 and 1986. 
The Commission therefore feels that the Community will be technically 
able to meet the obligations of the NOx Protocol. It is also 
Important that the Community should make a concrete commitment, at 
International level, to the combating of transboundary air Pollution, 
Including the more stringent measures provided for by the N0X 
protocol, thereby effectively assuming the responsibilities incumbent 
upon It. The Commission thus proposes that the Council adopt this 
decision. 
1 As at 1 October 1990 only France and the Netherlands had ratified the 
4-
Council Decision of ... on the accession of the Community to the 
Protocol to the Geneva Convention on long-range transboundary air 
pollution on the reduction of emissions on nitrogen oxides or their 
transboundary fluxes 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, and In particular Article 130s thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, 
Whereas Article 130r(5) of the Treaty calls for active cooperation by 
the Community and the Member States In International measures to 
protect the environment; whereas, because of the transboundary nature 
of air pollution, It is in the interest of the Community to 
participate in International measures designed to reduce this 
poI lut ion; 
Whereas the Community is a contracting party to the Convention of the 
Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations on long-range 
transboundary air pollution (1979 Geneva Convention)1 and to one of 
Its Protocols on the financing of EMEP (Cooperative programme for 
monitoring and evaluation of the long-range transmission of air 
pollutants In Europe);2 
Whereas Article 130r(2) of the Treaty states that measures by the 
Community should be based on the principles of preventive action and 
correction at source, as a priority, of damage to the environment; 
whereas these principles have been enshrined, as regards air 
pollution, by several Community legal acts on the reduction of 
emissions of nitrogen oxides from the main sources (motor vehicles 
and large combustion plants); 
Whereas the principle of correction at source Is one of the 
objectives of the NOx Protocol to the Convention, which lays down In 
particular a general objective of stabilizing total emissions of 
nitrogen oxides and provides for the application of emission 
standards and adoption of anti-pollution measures, while reserving 
the right to tighten up obligations for subsequent negotiations; 
Whereas use of the best available technology, as set out in the 
fundamental obligations of the protocol, has been enshrined since 
1984 In Community law on the combating of air pollution of an 
industrial origin; whereas this same principle has become, since 
1989, the basic philosophy for reducing emissions from motor 
vehicles; 
Whereas, in view of the damage caused to the environment and in the 
light of the transboundary nature of long-range air pollution due to 
emissions of nitrogen oxides, there should be joint action at 
International level; whereas the Community should accede to the 
Protocol on the reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides or their 
transboundary fluxes. 
1 OJ No L 171, 27.6.1981, p. 11 
2) -
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HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The European Economic Community hereby accedes to the Protocol to the 
1979 Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution on the 
reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary 
fluxes. 
The text of the said Protocol Is attached to this decision. 
Article 2 
The President of the Council shall deposit the Instruments In 
accordance with Article 14 of the Protocol. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Cou : iI 
The President 
??.CTCCCL :o n-n ;:-~9 CC:;YZ:JT::N cs izv,z-?.\:.zz TRANSBORDA?.* AIR POLLUTION 
AIR ?CL-WT:CN CONCERNING THE CONTROL C? EMISSIONS OF NITP.CGZN OXIDES CR 
THEIR TRANS3CJNDAJIÏ FLUXES 
The Parties, 
Determined to implement the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air 
Pollution, 
Concerned that present emissions of air pollutants are causing damage, in 
exposed parts of Europe and North America, to natural resources of vital 
environmental and economic importance, 
Recalling that the Executive 3ody for the Convention recognized at its 
second session the need to reduce effectively the tccal annual emissions of 
nitrogen oxides from stationary and mooiie sources or their transboundary 
fluxes by 1995, and the need on the part of other States that had already made 
progress in reducing these emissions to maintain and review their emission 
standards for nitrogen oxides, 
Taking into consideration existing scientific and technical data on 
emissions, atmospheric movements and effects on the environment of nitrogen 
oxides and their secondary products, as well as on control technologies, 
Conscious that the adverse environmental effects of emissions of nitrogen 
oxides vary a.r.ong countries, 
Determined tc ta<e effective action to control and reduce national annual 
emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes by, in particular, 
the application of appropriate national emission standards to new mobile and 
major new stationary sources and the retrofitting of existing major stationary 
sources, 
Recognizing that scientific and technical knowledge of these matters is 
developing and that it will be necessary to take such developments into 
account when reviewing the operation of this Protocol and 'deciding on further 
action, 
Noting that the elaboration of an approach based on critical loads is 
aimed at the establishment of an effect-oriented scientific basis to be taken 
into account when reviewing the operation of this Protocol and at deciding on 
further internationally agreed measures to limit and reduce emissions of 
nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes, 
Recocnizing that the expeditious consideration of procedures to create 
more favourable conditions for exchange of technology will contribute to the 
effective reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides in the region of the 
Commission, 
-A* 
No tir, g with appreciaticr. the ~ut.:al ccr.*7>: trrent u n :: e r t a .< e r. cy several 
countries to implement immediate and sucstar.tial cecucticr.s of national annual 
emissions of nitrogen oxides, 
Ackncwledcing the measures alreadv taken by some countries which have had 
the effect of reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides, 
Have agreed as follows: 
Article 1 
Definitions 
For the purposes of the present Protocol, 
1. "Convention" means the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air 
Pollution, adopted in Geneva on 13 November 1979; 
2. "EME?" means the Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of 
the Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe; 
3. "Executive 3ody" means the Executive Body for the Convention constituted 
under article 10, paragrapn 1 of the Conventic.i; 
4. "Geographical scope of EME?" means the area defined in article 1, 
paragraph 4 of the Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary 
Air Pollution on Long-term Financing of the Cc-ocerative Programme for 
Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in 
Europe (EME?) , adopted in Geneva on 28 September 1934; 
5. "Parties" means, unless the context otherwise requires, the Parties to 
the present Protocol; 
6. "Commission" means the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe; 
7. "Critical load" means a quantitative estimate of the exposure to one or 
more pollutants below which significant harmful effects on specified sensitive 
elements of the environment do not occur according to present knowledge; 
8. "Major existing stationary source" means any existing stationary source 
the thermal input of which is at least 100 MW; 
9. "Major new stationary source" means any new stationary source the thermal 
input of which is at least 50 MW; 
10. "Major source category" means any category of sources which emit or may 
emit air pollutants in the form of nitrogen oxides, including the categories 
described in the Technical Annex, and which contribute at least 10 per cent of 
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the total national emissions of nitrogen oxides on an annual casis as measured 
or calculated in tr.e first calendar year after the date of entry into force of 
the present Protocol, and every fourth year thereafter; 
11. "New stationary source" means any stationary source the construction or 
substantial modification of which is commenced after the expiration of two 
years from the date of entry into force of this Protocol; 
12. "New mobile source" means a motor vehicle or other mobile source which is 
manufactured after the expiration of two years from the date of entry into 
force of the present Protocol. 
Article 2 
Basic obligations 
1. The Parties shall, as soon as possible and as a first step, take 
effective measures to control and/or reduce their national annual emissions of 
nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes so that these, at the latest by 
31 December 1994, do not exceed their national annual emissions of nitrogen' 
oxides or transboundary fluxes of such emissions for the calendar year 1987 or 
any previous year to be spe^fied upon signature of, or accession to, the 
Protocol, provided that in addition, with respect to any Party specifying such 
a previous year, its national average annual transboundary fluxes or national 
average annual emissions of nitrogen oxides for the period from 1 January 1937 
to 1 January 19 96 do not exceed its transboundary fluxes or national emissions 
for the calendar year 1937. 
2. Furthermore, the Parties shall in particular, and no later than two years 
after the date of entry into force of the present Protocol: 
(a) Apply national emissions standards to major new stationary sources 
and/or source categories, and to substantially modified stationary sources in 
major source categories, based on the best available technologies which are 
economically feasible, taking into consideration the Technical Annex; 
(b) Apply national emission standards to new mobile sources in all major 
source categories based on the best available technologies which are 
economically feasible, taking into consideration the Technical Annex and the 
relevant decisions taken within the framework of the Inland Transport 
Committee of the Commission; and 
(c) Introduce pollution control measures for major existing stationary 
sources, taking into consideration the Technical Annex and the characteristics 
of the plant, its age and its rate of utilization and the need to avoid undue 
operational disruption. 
3. (a) The Parties shall, as a second step, commence negotiations, no later 
than six months after the date of entry into force of the present Protocol, on 
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f-rt.-.er steps to recjc? r.atior.a- annual emissions of nitrogen oxides or 
tr ansooundary fluxes of s~c?. enis 3 ion 3, taxing into account the best avail3oI 
scientific and tecr.no loci cal developments, internationally accepted critical 
loads and other elements resulting from the work pogramme undertaken under 
article 6. 
(b) To this end, the Parties shall co-operate in order to establish: 
(i) Critical loads; 
(ii) Reductions in national annual emissions of nitrogen oxides or 
transboundary fluxes of such emissions as required to achieve 
agreed objectives based on critical loads; and 
(iii) Measures and a time-table commencing nc later than 
1 January 1996 for achieving such reductions. 
4. Parties may take more stringent measures than those required by the 
present article. 
Article 3 
Exchange of technology 
1. The Parties shall, consistent with their national laws, regulations and 
practices, facilitate the exchange of technology to reduce emissions of 
nitrogen oxides, particularly through the promotion of: 
(a) Commercial exchange of available technology; 
(b) Direct industrial contacts and co-operation, including joint 
ventures ; 
(c) Exchange of information and experience; and 
(d) Provision of technical assistance. 
2. In promoting the activities specified in subparagraphs (a) to (d) above, 
the Parties shall create favourable conditions by facilitating contacts and 
co-operation among appropriate organizations and individuals in the private 
and public sectors that are capable of providing technology, design and 
engineering services, equipment or finance. 
3. The Parties shall, no later than six months after the date of entry into 
force of the present Protocol, commence consideration of procedures to create 
more favourable conditions for the exchange of technology to reduce emissions 
of nitrogen oxides. 
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n » _ • » « S 
Unleaded fuel 
The Parties shall, as soon as possible and no later than two years afte: 
the date of entry into force of the present Protocol, make unleaded fuel 
sufficiently available, in particular cases as a minimum along main 
international transit routes, to facilitate the circulation of vehicles 
equipped with catalytic converters. 
Article 5 
Review process 
1. The Parties shall regularly review the present Protocol, taking into 
account the best available scientific substantiation and technological 
development. 
2. The first review shall take place no later than one year after the date 
of entry into force of the present Protocol. 
Article 6 
Work to be undertaken 
The Parties shall give high priority to research and monitoring related 
to the development and application of an approach based on critical loads to 
determine, en a scientific basis, necessary reductions in emissions of 
nitrogen oxides. The Parties shall, in particular, through national research 
programmes, in the work plan of the Executive Body and through other 
co-operative programmes within the framework of the Convention, seek to: 
(a) Identify and quantify effects of emissions of nitrogen oxides on 
humans, plant and animal life, waters, soils and materials, taking into 
account the impact on these of nitrogen oxides from sources other than 
atmospheric deposition; 
(b) Determine the geographical distribution of sensitive areas; 
(c) Develop measurements and model calculations including harmonized 
methodologies for the calculation of emissions, to quantify the long-range 
transport of nitrogen oxides and related pollutants; 
(d) Improve estimates of the performance and costs of technologies for 
control of emissions of nitrogen oxides and record the development of improved 
and new technologies; and 
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;'e) Develop, in the context of an. approacn based on critical loads, 
methods to integrate scientific, technical and economic data m order to 
determine appropriate control strategies. 
Article 7 
National programmes, policies and strategies 
The Parties shall develop without undue delay national programmes, 
policies and strategies to implement the obligations under the present 
Protocol that shall serve as a means of controlling and reducing emissions of 
nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes. 
Article 8 
Information exchange and annual reporting 
1. The Parties shall exchange information by notifying the Executive 3ody of 
the national programmes, policies and strategies that they develop in 
accordance with article 7 and by reporting to it annually on progress achieved 
under, and any changes to, those programmes, policies and strategies, and in 
particular on: 
(a) The levels of national annual emissions of nitrogen oxides and the 
basis upon which they have been calculated; 
(b) Progress in applying national emission standards required under 
article 2, subparagraphs 2 (a) and 2 (b), and the national emission standards 
applied or to be applied, and the sources and/or source categories concerned; 
(c) Progress in introducing the pollution control measures required 
under article 2, subparagraph 2 (c), the sources concerned and the measures 
introduced or to be introduced; 
(d) Progress in making unleaded fuel available; 
(e) Measures taken to facilitate the exchange of technology; and 
(f) Progress in establishing critical loads. 
2. Such information shall, as far as possible, be submitted in accordance 
with a uniform reporting framework. 
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Article 9 
Calculations 
EME? snail, utilizing appropriate models and in good time before the 
annual meetings of the Executive 3ody, provide to the Executive Body 
calculations of nitrogen budgets and also of transboundary fluxes and 
deposition of nitrogen oxides within the geographical scope of EME?. In areas 
outside the geographical scope of EMEP, models appropriate to the particular 
circumstances of Parties to the Convention therein shall be used. 
Article 10 
Technical Annex 
The Technical Annex to the present Protocol is recommendatory in 
character. It shall form an integral part of the Protocol. 
Article 11 
Amendments to the Protocol 
1. Any Party may propose amendments to the present Protocol. 
2. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Executive 
Secretary cf the Commission who shall communicate them to all Parties. The 
Executive Body shall discuss the proposed amendments at its next annual 
meeting provided' that these proposals have been circulated by the Executive 
Secretary to the Parties at least ninety days in advance. 
3. Amendments to the Protocol, other than amendments to its Technical Annex, 
shall be adopted by consensus of the Parties present at a meeting of the 
Executive Body, and shall enter into force for the Parties which have accepted 
them on the ninetieth day after the date on which two-thirds of the Parties 
have deposited their instruments of acceptance thereof. Amendments shall 
enter into force for any Party which has accepted them after two-thirds of the 
Parties have deposited their instruments of acceptance of the amendment, on 
the ninetieth day after the date on which that Party deposited its instrument 
of acceptance of the amendments. 
4. Amendments to the Technical Annex shall be adopted by consensus of the 
Parties present at a meeting of the Executive Body and shall become effective 
thirty days after the date on which they have been communicated in accordance 
with paragraph 5 below. 
5. Amendments under paragraphs 3 and 4 above shall, as soon as possible 
after their adoption,, be communicated by the Executive Secretary to all 
Parties. 
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Article 12 
Settlement of disputes 
If a dispute arises between two or more Parties as to the interpretation 
or application of the present Protocol, they shall seek a solution by 
negotiation or "by any other method of dispute settlement acceptable to the 
parties to the dispute. 
Article 13 
Signature 
1. The present Protocol shall be open for signature at Sofia from 
1 November 1988 until 4 November 1988 inclusive, then at the Headquarters 
of the United Nations in New York until 5 May 1989» by the member States 
of the Commission as veil as- States having consultative status with the 
Commission, pursuant to paragraph 8 of Economic and Social Council 
resolution 36 (IY) of 28 March 1947» and by regional economic integration 
organizations, constituted by sovereign States members of the Commission, 
which have competence in respect of the negotiation, conclusion and 
application of international agreements in matters covered by the Protocol, 
provided that the States and organizations concerned are Parties to the 
Convention, 
2. In matters within their competence, such, regional economic integration 
organizations shall, on their own behalf,-exercise the rights and fulfil the 
responsibilities which the present Protocol attributes to their member 
States. In such cases, the member States of these organizations shall not be 
entitled to exercise such rights individually. 
Article 14 
Batification, acceptance, approval and accession 
1* The present Protocol shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or 
approval by Signatories. 
2. The present Protocol shall be open for accession as from 6 Kay 1989 
by the States and organizations referred to in article 13» paragraph 1* 
3* A State or organization which accedes to the present Protocol after 
31 December 1993 nay implement articles 2 and 4 no later than 
31 December 1995» 
4, The instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession 
shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who 
will perform the functions of depositary. 
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Article l1? 
Sntry into force 
1. The present Protocol shall enter into force on the ninetieth day 
following the date on which the sixteenth instrument of ratification, 
acceptance, approval or accession has been deposited. 
2. For each State and organization referred to in article 13, paragraph 1, 
which ratifies, accepts or approves the present Protocol or accedes thereto 
after the deposit of the sixteenth instrument of ratification, acceptance, 
approval, or accession, the Protocol shall enter into force on the 
ninetieth day following the date of deposit by such Party of its instrument 
of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession. 
Article 16 
Withdrawal 
At any tine after five years from the date on which the present Protocol 
has come into force with respect to a Party, that Party may withdraw from it 
by giving written notification to the depositary. Any such withdrawal shall 
take effect on the ninetieth day following the date of its receipt by the 
depositary, or on such later date as may be specified in the notification of 
the withdrawal. 
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.•i L 
Auiher.tic tects 
The original of the present Protocol, of which the English, 
Russian texts are equally authentic, shall ce deposited with the 
Secretary-General of the united Nations. 
Ill WITI.£.S5 WH23IGF the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, hav 
signed the present Protocol. 
DOITS at Sofia this thirty-first day of October one thousand nine hundred and 
eighty-eight. 
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TECHNICAL ANNEX 
1. Information regarding emission performance and costs is based en official 
documentation of the Executive Bcdy and its subsidiary bodies, in particular 
documents EB.AIR/WG.3/R.8, R.9 and R.16, and ENV/WP.1/R.86, and Corr.l, as 
reproduced in chapter 7 of Effects ar.c Control of Transboundary Air 
Pollution. V Unless otherwise indicated, the technologies listed are 
considered to be well established on the basis of operational experience. **/ 
2. The information contained in this annex is incomplete. Because 
experience with new engines and new plants incorporating low emission 
technology, as well as with retrofitting existing plants, is continuously 
expanding, regular elaboration and amendment of the annex will be necessary. 
The annex cannot be an exhaustive statement of technical options; its aim is 
to provide guidance for the Parties in identifying economically feasible 
technologies for giving effect to the obligations of the Protocol. 
I. CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR N0X EMISSIONS FROM STATIONARY SOURCES 
3. Fossil fuel combustion is the main stationary source of anthropogenic 
NOx emissions. In addition, some non-combustion processes can contribute 
relevant NOx emissions. 
4. Major stationary source categories of N0X emissions may include: 
(a) Combustion plants; 
(b) Industrial process furnaces (e.g., cement manufacture); 
(c) Stationary gas turbines and internal combustion engines; and 
(d) Non-combustion processes (e.g., nitric acid production). 
5. Technologies for the reduction of N0X emissions focus on certain 
combustion/process modifications, and, especially for large power plants, on 
flue gas treatment. 
6. For retrofitting of existing plants, the extent of application of 
low-NOx technologies may be limited by negative operational side-effects or 
by other site-specific constraints. In the case of retrofitting, therefore, 
only approximate estimates are given for typically achievable N0X emission 
values. For new plants, negative side-effects can be minimized or excluded by 
appropriate design features. 
jj/ Air Pollution Studies No. 4 (United Nations publication, 
Sales No. E.87.II.E.36) . . 
**/ It is at present difficult to provide reliable data on the costs of 
control technologies in absolute terms. For cost data included in the present 
annex, emphasis should therefore be placed on the relationships between the 
costs of different technologies rather than on absolute cost figures. 
- 11 -
Accord i.-.g tc currently available data, the ccsts c: ccnccstion 
-edifications can ce considered as small for new plants. However, in the caô-
of retrofitting, for instance at lar^e pewer plants, they ranged from accut 
3 to 25 Swiss francs per <W9^ (in 1335). As a rule, investment ccsts cf 
flue gas treatment systems are considerably higher. 
3. For stationary sources, emission factors are expressed in .Tiiiliçra.T.s cf 
NO 2 per normal (C° C, 1013 x»b) cubic metre (.T.g/m3) , dry basis. 
Combustion plants 
9. The category of combustion plants comprises fossil fuel combustion in 
furnaces, boilers, indirect heaters and other combustion facilities with a 
heat input larger than 10 MW, without mixing the ccraoustion flue gases with 
other effluents or treated materials. The following combustion technologies, 
either singly or in combination, are available for new and existing 
installations: 
(a) Low-temperature design of the firebox, including fluidized bed 
combustion; 
(b) Low excess-air operation; 
(c) Installation of special low-NOx burners; 
(d) Flue gas recirculation into the combustion air; 
(e) Staged combust ion/over f ire-air operation; and 
(f) Reburning (fuel staging) . ***/ 
Performance standards that can be achieved are summarized in table 1. 
10. Flue gas treatment by selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is an 
additional NOx emission reduction measure with efficiencies of up to 
80 per cent and more. Considerable operational experience from new and 
retrofitted installations is now being obtained within the region of the 
Commission, in particular for power plants larger than 300 MW (thermal). When 
combined with combustion modifications, emission values of 200 rog/m^ (solid 
fuels, 6% O2) and ISO mg/ra3 (liquid fuels, 3% O2) can be easily met. 
11. Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), a flue gas treatment for 
a 20-60% NOx reduction, is a cheaper technology for special applications 
(e.g., refinery furnaces and base load gas combustion). 
***/ There is limited operational experience of this type of combustion 
technology 
- 12 -
Table 1: N0V performance standards (mg/m-*) that can he achieved by combustion modifications 
Plant type a/ Uncontrolled baseline Existing plant retrofit b/ New plant 
Range Typical value 02 
% 
Solid 
Fuels 
Liquid 
Fuels 
Gaseous 
Fuels 
1 
1 10 MW c/ 
to 
300 MW 
>300 MW 
10 MW c/ 
to 
300 MW 
>300 MW 
10 MW C/ 
to 
300 MW 
>300 MW 
1 Grate Combustion (coal) 
Fluidized Bed Combustion 
(i) stationary 
(ii) circulating 
Pulverized Coal Combustion 
(i) dry bottom 
(ii) wet bottom 
Pulverized Coal Combustion 
(i) dry bottom 
(ii) wet bottom 
Distillate Oil Combustion 
Residual Oil Combustion 
Residual Oil Combustion 300 - 1 000 
300 - 600 
150 - 300 
700 - 1 700 
1 000 - 2 300 
700 - 1 700 
1 000 - 2 300 
500 - 1 400 
500 - 1 400 
150 - 1 000 
250 - 1 400 600 - 1 100 
1 000 - 1 400 
600 - 1 100 
1 000 - 1 400 
200 - 400 
200 - 400 
100 - 300 
100 - 300 
• •» — 600 
800 
-
300 
400 
-
-
-400 
400 
200 
< 600 
< 1 000 
< 600 
< 1 000 
-
-
< 300 
< 300 7 
7 
7 
6 
6 
6 
6 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
a/ Capacity numbers refer to MW (thermal) heat input by fuel (lower heating value). 
b/ Only approximate values can be given due *•"* site specific factors and greater uncertainty for retrofitting of existing plant. 
c/ For small (10 MW - 100 MW) plants a greater degree of un .rtainty applies to all figures given. 
Stationary "3 3 turbines and internal cc.nirust i or. 'ID ~-. : ; r. :-3 
L2. N0X émissions from stationary gas turbines can be reduced eitr.er cy 
combustion modification (dry control) or by water/steam injection ;•«•*: 
control). Both measures are well establ isned. 3y these Tie ans, emission 
values of 150 mg/m3 (gas, 15% O2) and 300 tng/m3 (oil, 15% 02) can be 
met. Retrofit is possible. 
13. N0X emissions from stationary spark ignition IC engines can be reduced 
either by combustion modifications (e.g., lean-burn and exhaust gas 
recirculation concepts) or by flue gas treatment (closed-loop*3-way catalytic 
converter, SCR). The technical and economic feasibility of these various 
processes depends on engine size, engine type (two stroke/four stroke), and 
engine operation mode (constant/varying load). The lean-burn concept is 
capable of meeting N0X emission values of 800 mg/m3 (5% 03) , the 
SCR process reduces N0X emissions well below 400 mg/m3 (5% O2) , and the 
three-way catalytic converter reduces such emissions even below 200 mg/m3 
(5% 02). 
Industrial process furnaces - Cement calcination 
14. The precalcination process is being evaluated within the reqion of the 
Commission as à possible technology with the potential for reducing N0X 
concentrations in the flue gas of new and existing cement calcination furnaces 
to about 300 mg/m3 (10% O2). 
Non-combustion processes - Nitric acid production 
15. Nitric acid production with a high pressure absorption (>8 bar) 
is capable of keeping N0X concentrations in undiluted effluents below 
400 mg/m3. The same emission performance can be met by medium pressure 
absorption in combination with a SCR process or any other similar efficient 
N0X reduction process. Retrofit is possible. 
II. CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR N0X EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES 
16. The motor vehicles considered in this annex are those used for road 
transport, namely: petrol-fuelled and diesel-fuelled passenger cars, 
light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles. Appropriate reference is made, 
as necessary, to the specific vehicle categories (M^, M2, M3, N^, 
N2, N3) defined in ECE Regulation No. 13 pursuant to the 1958 Agreement 
concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions of Approval and Reciprocal 
Recognition of Approval for Motor Vehicles Equipment and Parts. 
17. Road transport is a major source of anthropogenic N0X emission in many 
Commission countries, contributing between 40 and 80 per cent of total 
national emissions. Typically, petrol-fuelled vehicles contribute two-thirds 
of total road transport NOx emissions. 
- 14 -
13. The technologies available for the control of nitrogen oxides from meter 
vehicles are summarized in tables 3 and 6. It is convenient to group the 
technologies by reference to existing or proposed national and international 
emission standards differing in stringency of control. Because current 
regulatory test cycles only reflect urban and metropolitan driving, the 
estimates of relative N0X emissions given below ta<e account of higher speed 
driving where N0X emissions can be particularly important. 
19. The additional production cost figures for the various technologies 
given in tables 3 and 6 are manufacturing cost estimates rather than retail 
prices. 
20. Control of production conformity and in-use vehicle performance is 
important in ensuring that the reduction potential of emission standards is 
achieved in practice. 
21. Technologies that incorporate or are based on the use of catalytic 
converters require unleaded fuel. Free circulation of vehicles equipped with 
catalytic converters depends on the general availability of unleaded petrol. 
Petrol-fuelled and diesel-fuelled passenger cars (My) 
22. In table 2, four emission standards are summarized. These are used in 
table 3 to group the various engine technologies for petrol vehicles according 
to their NOx emission reduction potential. 
- 15 -
Table 2: Definition of emission standards 
Standard Limits 
HC • :»x: 19-23 g/test Comments 
A. ECS R.15-04 
B. "Luxembourg 1985' BC • NOx: 
1.4-2.0 1 t 8.0 g/test 
This standard only used 
to group technology 
«1.4 1 i 15.0 g/test, 
>2.0 1 : 6.5 g/test) 
C."Stockholm 1985" 
D."California 1989" N0X: 0.62 g/tan 
N0X: 0.76 g/km 
NOx: 0.25 g/kra Current ECS standard 
(Regulation No.15, including 
the 04 series of 
amendments, pursuant to the 
1953 Agreement referred to in 
paragraph 16 above), also 
adopted by the European 
Economic Community (Directive 
83/351/EEC). EŒ R.15 urban 
test cycle. Emission limit 
varies with vehicle mass. 
Standards to be introduced 
during 1988-1*993 in the 
European Economic Community, 
as discussed at the 1985 
Luxembourg meeting of EEC 
Council of Ministers and 
finally agreed upon in 
December 1987. EŒ R.15 
urban test cycle 
applies. Standard for 
engines >2 1 is generally 
equivalent to US 1983 
standard. Standard for 
engines <1.4 1 Is 
provisional, definite 
standard to be elaborated. 
Standard for engines of 
1.4-2.0 applies to all 
diesel cars >1.4 1. 
Standards for national 
legislation based on the 
"master document" developed 
after the 1985 Stockholm 
meeting of Environment 
Ministers from eight countries. 
Matching OS 1987 standards, 
with the following test 
procedures: 
US Federal Test Procedure 
(1975). 
Highway fuel economy test 
procedure. 
Standards to be introduced 
the State of California, 
United States from 1989 
models onwards. US Federal 
Test Procedure. in 
- 16 -
Table 3: Petrol engine technologies, emission performance, costs ar.d fuel 
consumotion for emission standard levels 
Standard Technology Composite a/ 
NOx reduc­
tion (%) Additional b/ 
production 
cost (1986 
Swiss francs) Fuel 
consumption 
index a/ 
B. 
C. 
D. Baseline (Current 
conventional spark-ignition 
engine with carburettor) 
(a) Fuel injection + 
EGR + secondary 
air d/ 
(b) Open-loop three-way 
catalyst (+EGR) 
(c) Lean-burn engine 
with oxidation 
catalyst (*2GR) */ 
Closed-loop three-way 
catalyst 
Closed-loop three-way 
catalyst (+ EGR) . c/ 
25 
55 
60 
90 
92 200 
150 100 
200-600 
300-600 
350-650 105 
103 
90 
95 
98 
a/ Composite NOx reduction and fuel consumption index estimates are 
for an average-weight European car operating under average European driving 
conditions. 
b/ Additional production costs could be more realistically expressed as 
a percentage of the total car cost. However, since cost estimates are 
primarily for comparison in relative terms only, the formulation of the 
original documents has been retained. 
c/ Composite NOx emission factor » 2.6 g/km. 
d/ "EGR" means exhaust gas recirculation. 
•/ Based entirely on data for experimental engines. Virtually no 
production of lean-burn engined vehicles exists. 
- 17 -
22. The emission standards A, 3, C and 3 incl-ice limits on .v/drscarcer. {KC; 
and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions as well as N0X. Estimates cf emission 
reductions for these pollutants, relative to the baseline ECZ R.15-04 case, 
are given in table 4. 
Taoie 4: Estimated reductions in HC and CO emissions from oetrol-fuelled 
passenger cars for different tecr.nolocies 
Standard HC-reduction CO-reduction 
(%) (!) 
B. (a) 30-40 50 
(b) 50-60 40-50 
(c) 70-90 70-90 
C. 90 90 
D. 90 90 
24. Current diesel cars can meet the NOx emission requirements of standards 
A, B and C. Strict particulate emission requirements, together with the 
stringent NOx limits of standard D, imply that diesel passenger cars will 
require further development, probably including electronic control of the fuel 
pump, advanced fuel injection systems, exhaust gas recirculation and 
particulate traps. Only experimental vehicles exist to date. (See also 
table 6, footnote a/). 
Other light-duty vehicles (Ni ) 
25. The control methods for passenger cars are applicable but NOx 
reductions, costs and commercial lead time factors may differ. 
Heavy-duty petrol-fuelled vehicles (M?, Mi, .N?, Hn) 
26. This class of vehicle is insignificant in western Europe and is 
decreasing in eastern Europe. US 1990 and US 1991 NOx emission levels (see 
tablé 5) could be achieved at modest cost without significant technology 
advancement. 
Heavy-duty diesel-fuelled vehicles (M?, Mi, N?, N<Q 
27. In table 5, three emission standards are summarized. These are used in 
tabla 6 to group engine technologies for heavy-duty diesel vehicles according 
to NOx reduction potential. The baseline engine configuration is changing, 
with a trend away from naturally aspirated to turbo-charged engines. This 
trend has implications for improved baseline fuel consumption performance. 
Comparative estimates of consumption are therefore not included. 
- 18 -
Table 5: Definition of emission standards 
— >• •" • • • ' ——— 
Standard N0X limits (g/kWh) Comments 
I £CE R.49 18 13 mode test 
II US-1990 8.0 Transient test 
III US-1991 6.7 Transient test 
Table 6: Heavy-duty diesel enoine technologies, emission performance, *a/ 
and costs for emission standard levels 
Standard 
I 
II b/ 
1 
III b/ Technology 
Current conventional 
direct injection 
diesel engine 
Turbo-charging + after-
cooling f injection 
timing retard 
(Combustion chamber 
and port modification) 
(Naturally-aspirated 
engines are unlikely 
to meet this standard) 
Further refinements of 
technologies listed under 
II together with variable 
injection timing and use 
of electronics N0X reduction 
estimate (%) 
40 
1 
50 Additional 
production 
cost (1984 USS) 
• 
$115 
($69 attributable 
to N0X standard) c/ 
$404 
($68 attributable 
to N0X standard) c/ 
a/ Deterioration in diesel fuel quality would adversely affect emission 
and may affect fuel consumption for both heavy and light duty vehicles. 
b/ It is still necessary to verify on a large scale the availability of 
new components. 
c/ Particulate control and other considerations account for the balance. 
- 19 -


ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 268 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 14 
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ISBN 92-77-74225-9 
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