Air Protection: New Stricter Environmental Standards

The Council of Ministers has approved the enactment of the Environment (Standards for Ambient Air Quality and Stack Emission) Regulations 2026. This new legal framework establishes three pillars of environmental standards for air quality:

• Ambient Air Quality Standards
These standards will serve as a reference for the maximum allowable limits of pollutants in the air. The primary goal is to protect public health and the integrity of the environment.

• Stack Emissions Standards
In addition to existing parameters, new criteria will now be regulated, including:

• Dioxins and furans.
• Heavy metals and mercury.
• Volatile organic compounds.
  It should be noted that the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management, and Climate Change will be empowered to require any factory to implement appropriate pollution mitigation measures in case of exceeding the authorized limits.

• Standards for Incinerator Emissions
A new provision will be introduced to regulate emissions from solid waste, medical waste incinerators, and crematoria.

Key points:
• Thermal Control: Incinerators must operate at an optimal temperature of 1,100 °C.
• Health Concern: This high temperature is critical to prevent the release of dioxins and furans, extremely hazardous substances that can cause cancer, reproductive issues, developmental disorders, and immune system damage.

Compliance Deadlines
The regulation allows for strategic flexibility:
• Industrial Sector: A six-month moratorium is granted to industries to comply with these new air quality standards.
• Public Sector: A compliance period may be extended to any public department if deemed in the national interest.

This was reported in the Council of Ministers on Friday, April 17, 2026.