1. Regulatory texts

The Community's strategy for monitoring outdoor ambient air quality is initially based on European Directive 96/62/EC of September 27, 1996 [2] on ambient air quality assessment and management.

This directive establishes the main principles to be implemented for :

• set objectives for ambient air quality in the European Union ;

• assess air quality in a uniform way;

• inform the public about the levels encountered, in particular by means of alert thresholds;

• preserve ambient air quality where it is good, and improve it in other cases.

It defines the zones to be monitored and...