Air policy

The Gothenburg protocol was adopted at UN level in 1999 and sets emission limit values (ELVs) for SO2, NOx and VOCs for a number of industries but not for the ceramics industry. The protocol also sets overall targets for these pollutants. These overall targets have been taken up in European legislation through the NEC Directive (National Emission Ceilings Directive).

The Gothenburg protocol is currently being revised and an additional pollutant ‘dust’ will be added. The revision of the Gothenburg protocol is expected to be finalised in 2011.