Amendment of the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft)
Draft bill for the hearing according to § 51 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) is being prepared
The Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft) represent the central set of regulations with the aim of reducing the emission of air pollutants and ambient air quality caused by plants subject to licensing. With regard to the state-of-the-art, more than 50,000 plants comply with these regulations. Meeting the requirements stated there ensures the highest possible degree of legal certainty for plant operators and can help to speed up licensing procedures. The last amendment dates from 2002. In the meantime, the state-of-the-art has been further evolved and some air pollutants have to be classified differently today. A further amendment of TA Luft is required, among other things due to the following factors:
- the BAT conclusions adopted within the scope of the Industrial Emission Directive,
- adjustments of the classification of the 4th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (4. BImSchV),
- adjustments of the state-of-the-art,
- new requirements according to the 39th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (39. BImSchV).
Within the scope of protection, it is planned to include the test concerning the input of atmospheric matter in protected areas (FFH areas) in the corresponding licensing procedures. Furthermore, it is to be tested whether bioaerosol in the ambient air (germs and endotoxins) are caused by the respective plant and whether they have a negative effect on human beings. In addition, it is being discussed at present whether the Odour Immission Guideline (GIRL) is to be included in the amended administrative regulation.
Also in the field of prevention, the requirements regarding carcinogenic and mutagenic substances as well as substances toxic for reproduction are currently updated. Concerning this, for example formaldehyde is being reclassified. With regard to emission requirements, special attention is paid to particulate matter, mercury, nitrogen oxides and ammonia.
The amendment of TA Luft is planned to be completed before the end of this legislative term, i.e. by mid-2017.
