Changes in the regulatory framework oblige the operators of large combustion plants to ensure continuous submission to the Executive Agency for Environment of the half-hourly or average hourly values of emissions of harmful substances released into the atmospheric air, as measured and validated through their own monitoring systems according to the conditions of their respective complex permits. The transmission of information will be in real time.

This is foreseen by changes in Ordinance No. 6 on the process and method of measuring the emissions of harmful substances released into the atmospheric air from immovable emitters, as published for public discussion. Under the current regulations, the Executive Agency for Environment, as well as the regional inspectorates, receive this information as monthly and annual reports.

The aim of the amendments is to create a legal responsibility for timely submission of data from own continuous measurements to the control bodies. The data records can be used as evidence to establish and prove violations of environmental protection legislation.

According to the amendments, the Executive Agency for Environment will provide real-time access for the relevant regional inspectorate, within whose territorial scope the combustion plant is located.

The adoption and enactment of the proposed regulatory changes will contribute to the timely and effective control on compliance with air quality norms, including those related to the content of harmful substances. The introduction of such a mechanism is of particular importance both for the purposes of the Environmental Protection Act, which includes the protection of human health, and for the achievement of one of the fundamental objectives of Directive 2008/50/EC - the fight against pollutant emissions at their source.