1. Introduction
1.1. The purpose of this consultation is to invite comments on the transposition into Scots law of Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe ("the Directive") ( Annex A), which entered into force on 11 June 2008 and must be transposed into national legislation before 11 June 2010.
1.2. Comments are invited on:
- how we intend to transpose the new Directive into Scots law through the draft Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 ( Annex B); and
- the accompanying consultation Impact Assessment ( Annex C).
1.3. The Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 also transpose the provisions of the fourth daughter Directive (2004/107/EC) relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air.
1.4. Air quality is a devolved matter so the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ("Defra"), the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland and the Welsh Assembly Government will be carrying out similar consultation exercises in their respective parts of the United Kingdom.
1.5. Subject to consideration of all representations received in response to this consultation, the new Regulations will come into force on 10 June 2010. Upon the introduction of these, the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2007 will be revoked.