Consultation on the Draft Air Quality (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Overview

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on the Draft Air Quality (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 to tighten annual average particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) limits, targets and objectives in Northern Ireland.

The consultation seeks views on the proposed Statutory Rule, which will bring into operation the following annual average limits, targets and objectives across Northern Ireland with compliance required by 1 January 2028 and will align with interim target 4 of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality Guideline (AQG) levels:

• Limit values: PM2.5 – 10 µg/m³ (currently 25 µg/m³), PM10 – 20 µg/m³ (currently 40µg/m³)
• Target value: PM2.5 – 8 µg/m³ (currently 25 µg/m³)
• Objective: PM10 – 20 µg/m³ (currently 40 µg/m³)

In addition to amending these standards for PM a number of other amendments are included in the Regulations as a means to tidy up the statute book:

• The names for the competent authorities in the 2003 Regulations will be amended to reflect their current names.
• The Air Quality (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 will be revoked.
• A new Schedule has been added clarifying monitoring and assessment provisions currently contained within Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe.

Full details of the proposals are set out in the consultation document.

Why your views matter

The consultation is aimed at anyone with an interest in air quality, including stakeholders working within the public health or environmental sector; district councils with responsibility for enforcement of air quality legislation; and members of the public.

DAERA encourages all interested parties to participate in this consultation to help inform meaningful and proactive legislative changes to further strengthen and protect public health across Northern Ireland.