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
Date: 1991-07-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EAGGF Guidance Section, agrarian reform, extensive farming, farm development plan, land use, redirection of production

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) 

-  1  -

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. 

- 3 -

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 
(kt) 

NOx 
(%) 

Traffic 

5 422 

50 

Large combustion 
plants (> 50 MW) 

Others 

3 987 

1 471 

37 

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 „ 

-  4 -

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 
11659 

12355 
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. 

-  5 -

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 
Traffic 
Large combustion plants 
Others 

1001 
6751 
3452 
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) 

-  6  -

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 
the  basic  philosophy  for  reducing  emissions  from  motor 
1989, 
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. 

2) 

1  OJ  No L 171, 27.6.1981, p. 11 
-

-  2 

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 

? ? . C T C C CL 
i z v , z - ? . \ : . zz  T R A N S B O R D A ? .*  A IR  P O L L U T I ON 
A IR  ?CL-WT:CN  CONCERNING  THE CONTROL  C?  EMISSIONS  OF  NITP.CGZN  OXIDES  CR 

; : - ~9  C C : ; Y Z : J T : :N  cs 

:o  n -n 

T H E IR  T R A N S 3 C J N D A J IÏ 

F L U X ES 

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  a p p r e c i a t i c r. 
implement 

c o u n t r i es 
e m i s s i o ns  of  n i t r o g en  o x i d e s, 

to 

the  ~ut.:al  ccr.*7>: trrent  u n :: e r t a .< e r.  cy  s e v e r al 

immediate  and  s u c s t a r . t i al  cecucticr.s  of  n a t i o n al  annual 

Ackncwledcing  the  measures  a l r e a dv 

taken  by  some  c o u n t r i es  which  have  had 

the  e f f e ct  of  reducing  emissions  of  n i t r o g en  o x i d e s, 

Have  agreed  as  follows: 

A r t i c le  1 

Definitions 

For  the purposes of the present  Protocol, 

"Convention" means the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air 

1. 
Pollution, adopted  in Geneva on 13 November 1979; 

"EME?"  means the Co-operative  Programme  for Monitoring and Evaluation of 

2. 
the  Long-range  Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe; 

"Executive 3ody" means the Executive Body for the Convention constituted 

3. 
under  article  10, paragrapn 1 of the Conventic.i; 

"Geographical  scope of EME?" means the area defined  in article 1, 

4. 
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; 

"Parties" means, unless the context otherwise  requires, the Parties to 

5. 
the  present  Protocol; 

6. 

"Commission" means the United  Nations Economic Commission  for Europe; 

"Critical  load" means a quantitative  estimate of the exposure to one or 

7. 
more  pollutants  below which  significant harmful  effects on specified  sensitive 
elements of the environment do not occur  according  to present knowledge; 

"Major  existing  stationary  source" means any existing  stationary  source 

8. 
the  thermal  input of which  is at least 100 MW; 

"Major  new stationary  source" means any new stationary  source the thermal 

9. 
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 

- 2 -

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 

The Parties shall, as soon as possible and  as a first step, take 

1. 
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. 

Furthermore, the Parties  shall  in particular, and no later  than two years 

2. 
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. 

(a)  The Parties shall, as a second  step, commence negotiations, no later 
3. 
than  six months after the date of entry  into  force of  the present  Protocol, on 

-  3 -

to  recjc?  r.atior.a-  annual  emissions  of  nitrogen  oxides  or 
t a x i ng 

i n to  account 

the  best  a v a i l 3 oI 

f-rt.-.er  s t e ps 
tr  ansooundary  fluxes  of  s~c?.  enis 3 ion 3, 
s c i e n t i f ic  and  tecr.no loci c al  developments, 
loads  and  o t h er  elements  r e s u l t i ng 
a r t i c le  6. 

from 

i n t e r n a t i o n a l ly  accepted  c r i t i c al 
the  work  pogramme  undertaken  under 

(b)  To  t h is  end, 

the  P a r t i es  s h a ll  c o - o p e r a te 

in  order 

to  e s t a b l i s h: 

(i)  C r i t i c al 

l o a d s; 

( i i)  Reductions 

in  n a t i o n al  annual  emissions  of  n i t r o g en  oxides  or 
to  a c h i e ve 

transboundary  fluxes  of  such  emissions  as  required 
agreed  o b j e c t i v es  based  on  c r i t i c al 

l o a d s;  and 

( i i i)  Measures  and  a  t i m e - t a b le  commencing  nc  l a t er 
r e d u c t i o n s. 

1  January  1996  for  a c h i e v i ng  such 

than 

P a r t i es  may  take  more  s t r i n g e nt  measures 

4. 
p r e s e nt  a r t i c l e. 

than  those  r e q u i r ed  by 

the 

A r t i c le  3 

Exchange  of 

t e c h n o l o gy 

1. 
p r a c t i c e s, 
n i t r o g en  o x i d e s,  p a r t i c u l a r ly 

The  P a r t i es  s h a l l,  c o n s i s t e nt  with  t h e ir  n a t i o n al 
the  exchange  of 
through 

t e c h n o l o gy 
t he  promotion  of: 

f a c i l i t a te 

laws,  r e g u l a t i o ns  and 

to  reduce  emissions  of 

(a)  Commercial  exchange  of  a v a i l a b le 

t e c h n o l o g y; 

(b)  D i r e ct 

i n d u s t r i al  c o n t a c ts  and  c o - o p e r a t i o n, 

i n c l u d i ng 

j o i nt 

v e n t u r es  ; 

(c)  Exchange  of 

information  and  e x p e r i e n c e;  and 

(d) 

P r o v i s i on  of 

t e c h n i c al  a s s i s t a n c e. 

In  promoting 

the  a c t i v i t i es  s p e c i f i ed 

2. 
t he  P a r t i es  s h a ll  c r e a te  favourable  c o n d i t i o ns  by  f a c i l i t a t i ng  c o n t a c ts  and 
in  the  p r i v a te 
c o - o p e r a t i on  among  a p p r o p r i a te  o r g a n i z a t i o ns  and  i n d i v i d u a ls 
and  p u b l ic  s e c t o rs 
e n g i n e e r i ng  s e r v i c e s,  equipment  or 

t h at  are  capable  of  p r o v i d i ng 

technology,  design  and 

in  subparagraphs 

f i n a n c e. 

to  (d)  above, 

(a) 

The  P a r t i es  s h a l l,  no  l a t er 

3. 
f o r ce  of 
more  f a v o u r a b le  c o n d i t i o ns  for 
of  n i t r o g en  o x i d e s. 

i n to 
than  s ix  months  a f t er 
t he  p r e s e nt  P r o t o c o l,  commence  c o n s i d e r a t i on  of  procedures  to  c r e a te 
technology  to  reduce  emissions 

the  d a te  of  e n t ry 

the  exchange  of 

-  4 

-

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 

The  Parties  shall  regularly  review  the  present  Protocol,  taking  into 

1. 
account  the  best  available  scientific  substantiation  and  technological 
development. 

The  first  review  shall  take  place  no  later  than  one  year  after  the  date 

2. 
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 

-  5 -

;'e)  Develop,  in  the  context  of  an.  approacn  based  on  c r i t i c al 

methods  to  integrate  s c i e n t i f i c, 
determine  appropriate  control  s t r a t e g i e s. 

technical  and  economic  data  m  order 

loads, 
to 

A r t i c le  7 

National  programmes,  p o l i c i es  and  strategies 

The  P a r t i es  shall  develop  without  undue  delay  national  programmes, 

p o l i c i es  and  s t r a t e g i es  to  implement  the  obligations  under  the  present 
Protocol  t h at  s h a ll  serve  as  a  means  of  controlling  and  reducing  emissions  of 
nitrogen  oxides  or  their 

transboundary  fluxes. 

Article  8 

Information  exchange  and  annual  reporting 

The  P a r t i es  shall  exchange  information  by  notifying 

1. 
the  n a t i o n al  programmes,  policies  and  s t r a t e g i es  that  they  develop  in 
accordance  with  a r t i c le  7  and  by  reporting  to  it  annually  on  progress  achieved 
under,  and  any  changes  t o,  those  programmes,  p o l i c i es  and  s t r a t e g i e s,  and  in 
p a r t i c u l ar  on: 

the  Executive  3ody  of 

(a)  The  l e v e ls  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 
a r t i c le  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  a r t i c le  2,  subparagraph  2  (c),  the  sources  concerned  and  the  measures 
introduced  or  to  be  introduced; 

(d)  Progress  in  making  unleaded  fuel  a v a i l a b l e; 

(e)  Measures  taken  to  f a c i l i t a te 

the  exchange  of  technology; 

and 

(f) 

Progress  in  establishing  c r i t i c al 

loads. 

Such  information  s h a l l,  as  far  as  p o s s i b l e,  be  submitted  in  accordance 

2. 
with  a  uniform  reporting  framework. 

-  6  -

A r t i c le  9 

Calculations 

EME?  s n a i l,  u t i l i z i ng  appropriate  models  and  in  good  time  before  the 

annual  meetings  of  the  Executive  3ody,  provide  to  the  Executive  Body 
c a l c u l a t i o ns  of  nitrogen  budgets  and  also  of  transboundary  fluxes  and 
d e p o s i t i on  of  nitrogen  o x i d es  within  the  geographical  scope  of  EME?. 
o u t s i de  the  geographical  scope  of  EMEP,  models  appropriate  to  the  particular 
c i r c u m s t a n c es  of  P a r t i es  to  the  Convention  therein  s h a ll  be  used. 

In  areas 

A r t i c le  10 

Technical  Annex 

The  Technical  Annex  to  the  present  Protocol  is  recommendatory  in 

c h a r a c t e r. 

It  s h a ll  form  an  i n t e g r al  part  of  the  Protocol. 

A r t i c le  11 

Amendments  to  the  Protocol 

1. 

Any  Party  may  propose  amendments  to  the  present  Protocol. 

2. 
Proposed  amendments  s h a ll  be  submitted  in  writing  to  the  Executive 
S e c r e t a ry  cf  the  Commission  who  s h a ll  communicate  them  to  a ll  Parties.  The 
E x e c u t i ve  Body  s h a ll  d i s c u ss  the  proposed  amendments  at  i ts  next  annual 
meeting  provided'  that  these  proposals  have  been  circulated  by  the  Executive 
S e c r e t a ry  to  the  P a r t i es  at  l e a st  ninety  days  in  advance. 

Amendments  to  the  P r o t o c o l,  other  than  amendments  to  i ts  Technical  Annex, 

3. 
s h a ll  be  adopted  by  consensus  of  the  Parties  present  at  a  meeting  of  the 
E x e c u t i ve  Body,  and  s h a ll  enter  i n to  force  for  the  Parties  which  have  accepted 
them  on  the  n i n e t i e th  day  a f t er 
have  d e p o s i t ed  t h e ir 
e n t er 
P a r t i es  have  deposited  t h e ir 
t he  n i n e t i e th  day  a f t er  the  date  on  which  that  Party  deposited  i ts 
of  acceptance  of  the  amendments. 

i n to  force  for  any  Party  which  has  accepted  them  after  two-thirds  of  the 

instruments  of  acceptance  thereof.  Amendments  shall 

instruments  of  acceptance  of  the  amendment,  on 

the  date  on  which  two-thirds  of  the  Parties 

instrument 

Amendments  to  the  Technical  Annex  s h a ll  be  adopted  by  consensus  of  the 

4. 
P a r t i es  present  at  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Body  and  s h a ll  become  e f f e c t i ve 
t h i r ty  days  a f t er  the  date  on  which  they  have  been  communicated  in  accordance 
w i th  paragraph  5  below. 

Amendments  under  paragraphs  3  and  4  above  s h a l l,  as  soon  as  possible 
t h e ir  adoption,,  be  communicated  by  the  Executive  Secretary  to  a ll 

5. 
a f t er 
P a r t i e s. 

-  7  -

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 

The present  Protocol shall be open for signature  at Sofia from 
1. 
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, 

In matters within  their competence, such, regional economic  integration 

2. 
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 

The  present  Protocol  shall  be  subject  to  ratification,  acceptance  or 

1* 
approval  by  Signatories. 

The  present  Protocol  shall  be  open  for  accession  as  from  6  Kay  1989 

2. 
by  the  States  and  organizations  referred  to  in  a r t i c le  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» 

The  instruments  of  ratification,  acceptance,  approval  or  accession 

4, 
s h a ll  be  deposited  with  the  Secretary-General  of  the  United  Nations,  who 
w i ll  perform  the  functions  of  depositary. 

-  8  -

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. 

For each State and organization referred  to in article  13, paragraph 1, 

2. 
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. 

- 9 -

.•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. 

-  10 -

TECHNICAL  ANNEX 

regarding  emission  performance  and  c o s ts 
the  Executive  Bcdy  and  i ts  s u b s i d i a ry  b o d i e s, 

I n f o r m a t i on 
1. 
documentation  of 
documents  EB.AIR/WG.3/R.8,  R.9  and  R.16,  and  ENV/WP.1/R.86,  and  C o r r . l,  as 
reproduced 
P o l l u t i o n.  V  Unless  otherwise 
c o n s i d e r ed 

the 
to  be  well  e s t a b l i s h ed  on  the  b a s is  of  o p e r a t i o n al  e x p e r i e n c e.  **/ 

in  c h a p t er  7  of  Effects  ar.c  C o n t r ol  of  Transboundary  Air 

in  p a r t i c u l ar 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

is  based  en  o f f i c i al 

l i s t ed  a re 

i n d i c a t e d, 

The 

in  t h is  annex  is 

information  contained 

2. 
i n c o r p o r a t i ng 
e x p e r i e n ce  with  new  engines  and  new  p l a n ts 
t e c h n o l o g y,  as  well  as  with  r e t r o f i t t i ng  e x i s t i ng  p l a n t s, 
e x p a n d i n g, 
The  annex  cannot  be  an  exhaustive  s t a t e m e nt  of 
to  p r o v i de  guidance  for 
t e c h n o l o g i es  for  giving  effect 

r e g u l ar  e l a b o r a t i on  and  amendment  of 

to  the  o b l i g a t i o ns  of 

the  P a r t i es 

incomplete.  Because 

low  emission 
is  c o n t i n u o u s ly 

the  annex  w i ll  be  n e c e s s a r y. 
is 

t e c h n i c al  o p t i o n s; 

i ts  aim 

in  i d e n t i f y i ng  economically 

f e a s i b le 

the  P r o t o c o l. 

I.  CONTROL  TECHNOLOGIES  FOR  N0X  EMISSIONS  FROM  STATIONARY  SOURCES 

F o s s il  f u el  combustion  is  the  main  s t a t i o n a ry  source  of  anthropogenic 
In  a d d i t i o n,  some  non-combustion  p r o c e s s es  can  c o n t r i b u te 

3. 
NOx  e m i s s i o n s. 
r e l e v a nt  NOx  e m i s s i o n s. 

4.  Major  s t a t i o n a ry  source  c a t e g o r i es  of  N0X  emissions  may  i n c l u d e: 

(a)  Combustion  p l a n t s; 

(b) 

I n d u s t r i al  process  furnaces 

( e . g .,  cement  manufacture); 

(c) 

S t a t i o n a ry  gas  t u r b i n es  and  i n t e r n al  combustion  e n g i n e s;  and 

(d)  Non-combustion  processes  ( e . g .,  n i t r ic  acid  p r o d u c t i o n ). 

T e c h n o l o g i es  for 

5. 
c o m b u s t i o n / p r o c e ss  modifications,  and,  e s p e c i a l ly  for 
f l ue  g as 

t r e a t m e n t. 

the  reduction  of  N0X  emissions  focus  on  c e r t a in 

l a r ge  power  p l a n t s,  on 

For  r e t r o f i t t i ng  of  e x i s t i ng  p l a n t s, 

6. 
low-NOx  t e c h n o l o g i es  may  be  l i m i t ed  by  n e g a t i ve  o p e r a t i o n al  s i d e - e f f e c ts  or 
t h e r e f o r e, 
by  o t h er  s i t e - s p e c i f ic  c o n s t r a i n t s. 
only  approximate  e s t i m a t es  are  given  for 
v a l u e s. 
a p p r o p r i a te  d e s i gn 

For  new  p l a n t s,  negative  s i d e - e f f e c ts  can  be  minimized  or  excluded  by 

t y p i c a l ly  achievable  N0X  emission 

t he  e x t e nt  of  a p p l i c a t i on  of 

In  t he  c a se  of  r e t r o f i t t i n g, 

f e a t u r e s. 

j j/  Air  P o l l u t i on  Studies  No.  4  (United  Nations  p u b l i c a t i o n, 

S a l es  No.  E . 8 7 . I I . E . 3 6)  . . 

* */ 

It 

is  at  p r e s e nt  d i f f i c u lt 

to  provide  r e l i a b le  data  on  the  c o s ts  of 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

c o n t r ol 
annex,  emphasis  should  therefore  be  placed  on  the  r e l a t i o n s h i ps  between 
c o s ts  of  d i f f e r e nt 

in  absolute  terms.  For  c o st  data 

than  on  a b s o l u te  c o st 

technologies  r a t h er 

included 

f i g u r e s. 

in  the  p r e s e nt 

the 

-  11  -

Accord i.-.g  tc  c u r r e n t ly  a v a i l a b le  d a t a, 

the  c c s ts  c:  ccnccstion 
- e d i f i c a t i o ns  can  ce  considered  as  small  for  new  p l a n t s.  However, 
lar^e  pewer  p l a n t s, 
instance  at 
of  r e t r o f i t t i n g, 
3  to  25  Swiss  francs  per  <W9^  (in  1335).  As  a  r u l e, 
f l ue  gas 

t r e a t m e nt  systems  are  c o n s i d e r a b ly  h i g h e r. 

they  ranged  from  accut 
investment  c c s ts  cf 

for 

in  the  caô-

3. 
NO 2  per  normal 

For  s t a t i o n a ry  sources,  emission  f a c t o rs  are  expressed 

in  .Tiiiliçra.T.s  cf 

(C°  C,  1013  x»b)  cubic  metre  (.T.g/m3) ,  dry  b a s i s. 

Combustion  p l a n ts 

i n p ut 

The  category  of  combustion  plants  comprises  f o s s il 

in 
i n d i r e ct  heaters  and  other  combustion  f a c i l i t i es  with  a 

9. 
f u r n a c e s,  b o i l e r s, 
heat 
larger 
other  e f f l u e n ts  or  treated  materials.  The  following  combustion  technologies, 
e i t h er  s i n g ly  or 
i n s t a l l a t i o n s: 

in  combination,  are  a v a i l a b le  for  new  and  e x i s t i ng 

the  ccraoustion  flue  gases  with 

than  10  MW,  without  mixing 

fuel  combustion 

(a)  Low-temperature  design  of  the  f i r e b o x, 

including  fluidized  bed 

combustion; 

(b)  Low  e x c e s s - a ir  operation; 

(c) 

I n s t a l l a t i on  of  special  low-NOx  burners; 

(d)  Flue  gas  recirculation 

into  the  combustion  a i r; 

(e) 

Staged  combust ion/over f i r e - a ir  operation;  and 

(f)  Reburning  (fuel  staging)  .  ***/ 

Performance  standards  that  can  be  achieved  are  summarized  in  table  1. 

10.  Flue  gas  treatment  by  s e l e c t i ve  c a t a l y t ic  reduction  (SCR)  is  an 
a d d i t i o n al  NOx  emission  reduction  measure  with  e f f i c i e n c i es  of  up  to 
80  per  c e nt  and  more.  Considerable  operational  experience  from  new  and 
r e t r o f i t t ed 
is  now  being  obtained  within  the  region  of  the 
Commission, 
combined  with  combustion  modifications,  emission  values  of  200  rog/m^  ( s o l id 
f u e l s,  6%  O2)  and  ISO  mg/ra3  (liquid  f u e l s,  3% O2)  can  be  e a s i ly  met. 

i n s t a l l a t i o ns 
in  particular  for  power  plants  larger  than  300  MW (thermal).  When 

S e l e c t i ve  n o n - c a t a l y t ic  reduction  (SNCR),  a  f l ue  gas  treatment  for 

1 1. 
a  20-60%  NOx  reduction, 
( e . g .,  r e f i n e ry  furnaces  and  base  load  gas  combustion). 

is  a  cheaper  technology  for  s p e c i al  applications 

* * */  There  is  limited  operational  experience  of  t h is  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 

02 
% 

Range 

Typical value 

Grate Combustion  (coal) 

300 - 1 000 

600 

400 

7 

10 MW c/ 

Fluidized Bed Combustion 

to 

(i) stationary 

300 MW 

(ii) circulating 

Pulverized Coal Combustion 

300 -  600 

150 -  300 

Solid 

Fuels 

(i) dry bottom 

(ii) wet bottom 

700 - 1 700 

600 - 1 100 

800 

1 000 - 2 300 

1 000 - 1 400 

Pulverized Coal Combustion 

>300 MW 

(i) dry bottom 

700 - 1 700 

600 - 1 100 

-

(ii) wet bottom 

1 000 - 2 300 

1 000 - 1 400 

10 MW c/ 

Distillate Oil Combustion 

to 

Liquid 

300 MW 

Residual Oil Combustion 

500 - 1 400 

200 - 400 

Fuels 

>300 MW 

Residual Oil Combustion 

500 - 1 400 

200 - 400 

10 MW C/ 

to 

Gaseous 

300 MW 

Fuels 
1 
1 

>300 MW 
1 

150 - 1 000 

100 - 300 

250 - 1 400 

100 - 300 

• 

•» 

— 

300 

400 

-

-

-

400 

200 

< 600 

<  1 000 

<  600 

<  1 000 

-

-

<  300 

<  300 

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.  N 0X  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%  O 2 ). 

Non-combustion  processes  - Nitric  acid  production 

15.  Nitric  acid  production  with  a high  pressure  absorption  (>8 bar) 
is capable  of  keeping  N 0X  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  N Ox  emissions. 

-  14 -

The  t e c h n o l o g i es  a v a i l a b le  for  the  c o n t r ol  of  nitrogen  oxides  from  meter 

13. 
v e h i c l es  are  summarized  in  t a b l es  3  and  6. 
t e c h n o l o g i es  by  reference  to  e x i s t i ng  or  proposed  national  and 
emission  standards  d i f f e r i ng 
r e g u l a t o ry  t e st  c y c l es  only  r e f l e ct  urban  and  metropolitan  d r i v i n g, 
e s t i m a t es  of  r e l a t i ve  N0X  emissions  given  below  ta<e  account  of  higher  speed 
d r i v i ng  where  N0X  emissions  can  be  p a r t i c u l a r ly 

in  stringency  of  control.  Because  current 
the 

is  convenient  to  group  the 

international 

important. 

It 

19. 
g i v en 
p r i c e s. 

The  a d d i t i o n al  production  c o st  figures  for  the  various 
in  t a b l es  3  and  6  are  manufacturing  c o st  estimates  rather  than  r e t a il 

technologies 

20. 
important 
achieved 

in  p r a c t i c e. 

Control  of  production  conformity  and  in-use  v e h i c le  performance 

is 
in  ensuring  that  the  reduction  p o t e n t i al  of  emission  standards 

is 

Technologies  that  incorporate  or  are  based  on  the  use  of  c a t a l y t ic 

21. 
c o n v e r t e rs  require  unleaded  f u e l. 
c a t a l y t ic  c o n v e r t e rs  depends  on  the  general  a v a i l a b i l i ty  of  unleaded  p e t r o l. 

Free  c i r c u l a t i on  of  v e h i c l es  equipped  with 

P e t r o l - f u e l l ed  and  d i e s e l - f u e l l ed  passenger  cars  (My) 

22. 
In  t a b le  2,  four  emission  standards  are  summarized.  These  are  used 
t a b le  3  to  group  the  various  engine  technologies  for  petrol  v e h i c l es  according 
to  t h e ir  NOx  emission  reduction  p o t e n t i a l. 

in 

-  15  -

Table  2:  D e f i n i t i on  of  emission  standards 

Standard 

Limits 

Comments 

A.  ECS  R.15-04 

HC  •  : »x:  19-23  g / t e st 

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" 

N0X: 0.62 g/tan 

N0X: 0.76 g/km 

D."California 1989" 

NOx: 0.25 g/kra 

-  16  -

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  t e st 
procedure. 

Standards  to  be  introduced 
the  State  of  California, 
United  S t a t es  from  1989 
models  onwards.  US  Federal 
Test  Procedure. 

in 

Table  3:  Petrol  engine  technologies,  emission  performance,  c o s ts  ar.d  fuel 

consumotion  for  emission  standard 

l e v e ls 

Standard 

Technology 

Baseline  (Current 
conventional  spark-ignition 
engine  with  carburettor) 

(a)  Fuel  injection  + 
EGR  +  secondary 
a ir  d/ 

(b)  Open-loop  three-way 
c a t a l y st  (+EGR) 

(c)  Lean-burn  engine 

with  oxidation 
c a t a l y st  (*2GR)  */ 

Closed-loop  three-way 
c a t a l y st 

Closed-loop  three-way 
c a t a l y st  (+  EGR) 

B. 

C. 

D. 

Composite  a/ 
NOx  reduc 
t i on  (%) 

Additional  b/ 
production 
c o st 
(1986 
Swiss  francs) 

Fuel 
consumption 
index  a/ 

.  c/ 

100 

25 

55 

60 

90 

92 

200 

105 

150 

200-600 

300-600 

350-650 

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 
c o n d i t i o n s. 

b/  Additional  production  c o s ts  could  be  more  r e a l i s t i c a l ly  expressed  as 

a  percentage  of  the  t o t al  car  c o s t.  However,  s i n ce  c o st  estimates  are 
p r i m a r i ly  for  comparison  in  r e l a t i ve  terms  o n l y,  the  formulation  of  the 
o r i g i n al  documents  has  been  retained. 

c/  Composite  NOx  emission  factor  »  2.6  g/km. 

d/  "EGR"  means  exhaust  gas  r e c i r c u l a t i o n. 

•/  Based  entirely  on  data  for  experimental  engines.  Virtually  no 

production  of 

lean-burn  engined  v e h i c l es  e x i s t s. 

-  17  -

The  emission  standards  A,  3,  C  and  3  incl-ice  l i m i ts  on  .v/drscarcer.  {KC; 

22. 
and  carbon  monoxide  (CO)  emissions  as  well  as  N0X.  Estimates  cf  emission 
r e l a t i ve 
r e d u c t i o ns 
a re  g i v en 

to  the  b a s e l i ne  ECZ  R.15-04  c a s e, 

these  p o l l u t a n t s, 

in  t a b le  4. 

for 

T a o ie  4:  Estimated  r e d u c t i o ns 

in  HC  and  CO  emissions  from  o e t r o l - f u e l l ed 

passenger  cars  for  d i f f e r e nt 

tecr.nolocies 

S t a n d a rd 

HC-reduction 

B. 

C. 

D. 

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 

(%) 

30-40 
50-60 
70-90 

90 

90 

CO-reduction 

(!) 

50 
40-50 
70-90 

90 

90 

24.  Current  d i e s el  cars  can  meet  the  NOx  emission  requirements  of  standards 
A,  B  and  C.  S t r i ct  particulate  emission  requirements,  together  with  the 
s t r i n g e nt  NOx  l i m i ts  of  standard  D,  imply  that  d i e s el  passenger  cars  w i ll 
r e q u i re  further  development,  probably  including  e l e c t r o n ic  c o n t r ol  of  the  fuel 
pump,  advanced  fuel  injection  systems,  exhaust  gas  r e c i r c u l a t i on  and 
p a r t i c u l a te  traps.  Only  experimental  v e h i c l es  e x i st  to  date. 
t a b le  6,  footnote  a / ). 

(See  a l so 

Other 

l i g h t - d u ty  v e h i c l es  (Ni ) 

25.  The  control  methods  for  passenger  cars  are  applicable  but  NOx 
r e d u c t i o n s,  c o s ts  and  commercial  lead  time  factors  may  d i f f e r. 

Heavy-duty  p e t r o l - f u e l l ed  v e h i c l es 

(M?,  Mi,  .N?,  Hn) 

26.  This  c l a ss  of  vehicle  is  i n s i g n i f i c a nt 
d e c r e a s i ng 
t a b lé  5)  could  be  achieved  at  modest  c o st  without  s i g n i f i c a nt 
advancement. 

in  eastern  Europe.  US  1990  and  US  1991  NOx  emission  l e v e ls 

in  western  Europe  and  is 

technology 

(see 

Heavy-duty  d i e s e l - f u e l l ed  v e h i c l es 

(M?,  Mi,  N?,  N<Q 

27. 
in 
In  t a b le  5,  three  emission  standards  are  summarized.  These  are  used 
t a b la  6  to  group  engine  technologies  for  heavy-duty  d i e s el  v e h i c l es  according 
to  NOx  reduction  p o t e n t i a l.  The  b a s e l i ne  engine  configuration 
is  changing, 
with  a  trend  away  from  naturally  aspirated  to  turbo-charged  engines.  This 
trend  has  implications  for  improved  b a s e l i ne  fuel  consumption  performance. 
Comparative  estimates  of  consumption  are  therefore  not 

included. 

-  18  -

Table  5:  D e f i n i t i on  of  emission  standards 

— 

>• 

•" 

• 

• 

• 

' 

— —— 

Standard 

N 0X  limits  (g/kWh) 

Comments 

I  £CE R.49 

II  US-1990 
III  US-1991 

18 
8.0 
6.7 

13 mode test 
Transient  test 
Transient  test 

Table  6:  Heavy-duty  diesel enoine  technologies,  emission  performance, *a/ 

and costs  for emission  standard  levels 

Standard 

Technology 

N0X  reduction 
estimate  (%) 

Additional 
production 
cost  (1984 USS) 

I 

Current  conventional 
direct  injection 
diesel  engine 

II b/ 

1 

Turbo-charging  + after-
cooling  f  injection 
timing  retard 
(Combustion  chamber 
and port modification) 
(Naturally-aspirated 
engines are unlikely 
to meet  this  standard) 

III b/ 

Further  refinements of 
technologies  listed under 
II  together with variable 
injection  timing and use 
of  electronics 

• 

40 

50 

$115 
($69  attributable 
to N0X  standard) c/ 

1 

$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 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-309-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-74225-9 

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