The National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive was today signed into law by the European Parliament and the European Council.

The directive is based on a Commission proposal that sets stricter limits on the five main pollutants in Europe. It will enter into force on December 31.

When fully implemented, it will reduce by almost 50 per cent the negative health impacts of air pollution, such as respiratory diseases and premature death, by 2030.

It will also have substantial benefits for the quality of fresh water, soil, and ecosystems and help address the impacts of harmful particles causing climate change like black carbon.

The Directive is the central element of the Commission's more comprehensive Clean Air Programme for Europe.

Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella said: "The new European air quality rules are a significant landmark in the fight against this invisible killer that is air pollution. Air pollution kills over 450 000 people in Europe each year. This is more than 10 times as many as road traffic accidents. Now it is for the national governments to start with implementation so that people can benefit from cleaner air. We will work with member states to support them in this challenge for improving the health of EU citizens."

Member states must transpose the directive into national legislation by June 30, 2018 and produce a National Air Pollution Control Programme by 2019 setting out measures to ensure that emissions of the five main air pollutants are reduced by the percentages agreed by 2020 and 2030.