M/561 - Ozone precursors
Ambient air quality legislation to develop and validate standard measurement methods for the measurement and monitoring of volatile organic compounds
Mandate M/561 requests the development and validation of standardized measurement methods for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to support ambient air quality legislation. This mandate aims to ensure accurate and harmonized monitoring of ozone precursors, which are critical for assessing and controlling air pollution. The European Commission requires European Standardisation Organisations to create reliable and validated standards that facilitate consistent measurement and analysis of VOCs in the atmosphere, thereby aiding regulatory compliance and environmental protection efforts across EU member states.
Purpose
The mandate M/561 aims to support ambient air quality legislation by ensuring the development and validation of standardized measurement methods. These methods focus on the detection and monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are key ozone precursors impacting air quality and public health across the European Union.
Standardisation request
The mandate requests the creation of harmonized and validated measurement techniques specifically designed for quantifying VOCs in ambient air. This involves establishing protocols that enable reliable, comparable, and reproducible data collection to monitor the presence and concentration of ozone precursors effectively.
Expected deliverables
- Standardized and validated measurement methods for VOCs in ambient air.
- Technical specifications and protocols that can be widely adopted for air quality monitoring.
- Guidelines for the use and calibration of instruments measuring volatile organic compounds.
- Documentation supporting legislative and regulatory enforcement related to ambient air quality.
Context
Volatile organic compounds contribute significantly to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major air pollutant regulated under EU air quality directives due to its adverse effects on human health and the environment. Reliable measurement and monitoring of VOCs are essential for implementing effective air quality management and compliance strategies. Mandate M/561 responds to the need for harmonization across member states to ensure consistent data quality and support policymaking in the area of ambient air quality.
This mandate covers the development and validation of standard measurement methods for monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as ozone precursors in ambient air quality legislation. The scope includes methods for measuring VOCs in outdoor air to support air quality assessment and regulatory compliance related to ozone pollution control.
General Information
This European Standard specifies a continuous measurement method for the determination of the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide present in ambient air based on the chemiluminescence measuring principle. This standard describes the performance characteristics and sets the relevant minimum criteria required to select an appropriate chemiluminescence analyser by means of type approval tests. It also includes the evaluation of the suitability of an analyser for use in a specific fixed site so as to meet the data quality requirements as specified in Annex I of Directive 2008/50/EC [1] and requirements during sampling, calibration and quality assurance for use.
The method is applicable to the determination of the concentration of nitrogen dioxide present in ambient air up to 500 µg/m3. This concentration range represents the certification range for NO2 for the type approval test.
The method is applicable to the determination of the concentration of nitrogen monoxide present in ambient air up to 1 200 µg/m3. This concentration range represents the certification range for NO for the type approval test.
NOTE 1 It is possible to use other ranges depending on the levels present in ambient air.
NOTE 2 When this European Standard is used for other purposes than for measurements required by Directive 2008/50/EC, the ranges and uncertainty requirements may not apply.
The method covers the determination of ambient air concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide in zones classified as rural areas, urban-background areas and traffic-orientated locations and locations influenced by industrial sources.
The results are expressed in µg/m3 (at 20 °C and 101,3 kPa).
NOTE 3 500 µg/m3 of NO2 corresponds to 261 nmol/mol of NO2 at 20 °C and 101,3 kPa. 1 200 µg/m3 of NO corresponds to 962 nmol/mol of NO at 20 °C and 101,3 kPa.
This standard contains information for different groups of users.
Clauses 5 to 7 and Annexes B and C contain general information about the principles of NOx measurement by chemiluminescence analyser and sampling equipment.
Clause 8 and Annex E are specifically directed towards test houses and laboratories that perform type-approval testing of NOx analysers. These sections contain information about:
- Type-approval test conditions, test procedures and test requirements;
- Analyser performance requirements;
- Evaluation of the type-approval test results;
- Evaluation of the uncertainty of the measurement results of the NOx analyser based on the type-approval test results.
Clauses 9 to 11 and Annexes F and G are directed towards monitoring networks performing the practical measurements of NOx in ambient air. These sections contain information about:
- Initial installation of the analyser in the monitoring network and acceptance testing;
- Ongoing quality assurance/quality control;
- Calculation and reporting of measurement results;
- Evaluation of the uncertainty of measurement results under practical monitoring conditions.
- Standard100 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This European Standard specifies a continuous measurement method for the determination of the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide present in ambient air based on the chemiluminescence measuring principle. This standard describes the performance characteristics and sets the relevant minimum criteria required to select an appropriate chemiluminescence analyser by means of type approval tests. It also includes the evaluation of the suitability of an analyser for use in a specific fixed site so as to meet the data quality requirements as specified in Annex I of Directive 2008/50/EC [1] and requirements during sampling, calibration and quality assurance for use.
The method is applicable to the determination of the concentration of nitrogen dioxide present in ambient air up to 500 µg/m3. This concentration range represents the certification range for NO2 for the type approval test.
The method is applicable to the determination of the concentration of nitrogen monoxide present in ambient air up to 1 200 µg/m3. This concentration range represents the certification range for NO for the type approval test.
NOTE 1 It is possible to use other ranges depending on the levels present in ambient air.
NOTE 2 When this European Standard is used for other purposes than for measurements required by Directive 2008/50/EC, the ranges and uncertainty requirements may not apply.
The method covers the determination of ambient air concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide in zones classified as rural areas, urban-background areas and traffic-orientated locations and locations influenced by industrial sources.
The results are expressed in µg/m3 (at 20 °C and 101,3 kPa).
NOTE 3 500 µg/m3 of NO2 corresponds to 261 nmol/mol of NO2 at 20 °C and 101,3 kPa. 1 200 µg/m3 of NO corresponds to 962 nmol/mol of NO at 20 °C and 101,3 kPa.
This standard contains information for different groups of users.
Clauses 5 to 7 and Annexes B and C contain general information about the principles of NOx measurement by chemiluminescence analyser and sampling equipment.
Clause 8 and Annex E are specifically directed towards test houses and laboratories that perform type-approval testing of NOx analysers. These sections contain information about:
- Type-approval test conditions, test procedures and test requirements;
- Analyser performance requirements;
- Evaluation of the type-approval test results;
- Evaluation of the uncertainty of the measurement results of the NOx analyser based on the type-approval test results.
Clauses 9 to 11 and Annexes F and G are directed towards monitoring networks performing the practical measurements of NOx in ambient air. These sections contain information about:
- Initial installation of the analyser in the monitoring network and acceptance testing;
- Ongoing quality assurance/quality control;
- Calculation and reporting of measurement results;
- Evaluation of the uncertainty of measurement results under practical monitoring conditions.
- Standard100 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/561 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Ambient air quality legislation to develop and validate standard measurement methods for the measurement and monitoring of volatile organic compounds". Ambient air quality legislation to develop and validate standard measurement methods for the measurement and monitoring of volatile organic compounds There are 2 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.