Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2) (c) of the EC Treaty on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air, amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty
Date: 2000-08-04
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Environment Agency, air quality, environmental protection, pollution control, public health

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 04.08.2000
COM(2000) 525 final

1998/0333 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

pursuant to Article 251(2)(c) of the EC Treaty
on the European Parliament's amendments
to the Council's common position regarding the
proposal for a

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
AND OF THE COUNCIL

relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air

AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION
pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty

1998/0333 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

pursuant to Article 251(2)(c) of the EC Treaty
on the European Parliament's amendments
to the Council's common position regarding the
proposal for a

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
AND OF THE COUNCIL

relating to limit values for benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air

1.

BACKGROUND

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proposal was

The
(COM(1998)591-1998/0333 COD – OJ C 53, 24.02.1999, p.8).

the Council

presented

on

to

1 December 1998

The Economic and Social Committee adopted its favourable opinion (no
proposed amendments) on 25 March 1999 (CES/1999/333). The Committee of
the Regions decided at its session of 28 June 1999 that it would not give an
opinion.

The European Parliament gave its opinion (first reading) at
2 December 1999.

its sitting of

The Commission adopted the amended proposal on 11 April 2000
(COM/2000/223 – 1998/0333 (COD)).

its meeting on 13 December 1999 the Council unanimously reached a

At
political agreement with a view to adopting a Common Position.

The Council’s Common Position was adopted on 10 April 2000.

On 06 July 2000, at its second reading, the European Parliament adopted
Council's Common Position with one amendment.

This opinion sets out the Commission's position on the European Parliament's
amendment in accordance with Article 251 (2)(c) of the EC Treaty.

2.

PURPOSE OF COMMISSION PROPOSAL

The purpose of this Directive is to set limit values for the protection of human health
for benzene and carbon monoxide as required under Article 4 in connection with
Annex I of the Council Directive on ambient air quality assessment and management
(96/62/EC).

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3.

COMMISSION'S OPINION ON THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE PARLIAMENT

3.1.

Parliament's amendment on second reading

Parliament's amendment adds to Recital 10 of the Common Position the requirement
that air pollution in enclosed spaces, as well as in outside air, should be taken into
account in the review due in 2004. Though the Directive exclusively addresses
ambient air, the Commission agrees that all aspects of health effects should be
considered under the review. Therefore the Commission accepts the amendment.

3.2.

Amended proposal

The Commission will not prepare an amended proposal, but invites the Council to
take full account of this Opinion, when considering the amendment proposed by the
Parliament.

Having regard to Article 250, paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty,
modifies its proposal as indicated above.

the Commission

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