Federal Council approves action plan to reduce particulate matter

Bern, 16.06.2006 - Today the Federal Council approved an action plan to reduce particulate matter, which is also being supported by the cantons. The action plan contains five new measures to supplement those already announced by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). The aim is to bring about a significant reduction in soot emissions over the next few years, especially during periods of weather inversion in winter.

The measures approved by the Federal Council today represent the second stage in the action plan to reduce particulate matter, which was initiated in January 2006 by Federal President Moritz Leuenberger. Since the measures concerned involve other federal departments, they had to be approved by the Federal Council. The measures approved today solely concern the reduction of emissions of diesel soot. These ultra-fine particles are especially dangerous due to the fact that they are carcinogenic. Environmental legislation in Switzerland does not specify air quality standards for these pollutants, which are extremely hazardous even in low concentrations,  but merely calls for a reduction in emissions to the lowest possible level. In 2005, approximately 3,500 tonnes of diesel soot were released into the air in Switzerland.

The Federal Council has approved the following measures:

  1. The federal government will notify the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Union (EU) about its premature introduction of the future EURO 5 soot emission limit value for all light diesel vehicles. This means that, as of 2007, all new diesel cars, mini-buses and light duty goods vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) in Switzerland must be equipped with particle filters. To date there is no practical alternative for achieving the specified threshold. The Federal Council will take a final decision relating to the introduction of the new standard after it has received a response to its notification.
  2. In future, oil tax refunds to public transport operators are to be effected in a differentiated manner. For diesel buses equipped with particle filters or equivalent systems, they will receive the same amount as before (ground tax and surcharge). However, for buses which are not equipped with a particle filter, they will now only receive a refund of the oil tax surcharge. This measure is to be implemented as soon as possible.
  3. For new diesel tractors, too, the federal government will notify the WTO, EFTA and EU about the premature introduction of the future European diesel soot emission limit value, III B. In the EU, this threshold is expected to be introduced in the period from 2011 to 2013. From today’s perspective, this standard corresponds to the introduction of a particle filter obligation. This measure could enter into effect in 2009 in Switzerland, depending on the outcome of the notification. In addition, the possibility of providing financial incentives for retrofitting vehicles  is to be closely examined.
  4. From 2007, the Federal Council will only purchase diesel-driven cars, utility vehicles and HGVs for use in the administration and armed forces if they are equipped with particle filters (subject to availability on the market).
  5. With respect to the next increase in the HGV fee, which is due in 2008, and within the framework of the joint committee on the land transport agreement,  the Federal Council wanted to negotiate with the EU on the option of collecting a reduced fee for HGVs that are equipped with a particle filter.
The involved federal departments (Department of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports, and Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications) have been requested to initiate the necessary preparatory tasks. The new measures supplement the first stage of the action plan, which encompasses measures in the sphere of responsibility of DETEC and focuses on reducing particulate matter and diesel soot emissions, together with soot emissions from wood-fired  systems. The aim behind all these measures (cf. fact sheet concerning the action plan to reduce particulate matter) is to bring about a significant reduction in soot emissions over the next few years, and reduce exposure levels during periods of weather inversion in winter.


Address for enquiries

M. André Simonazzi, spokesman of DETEC, phone no. 031 322 55 41

Technical issues:
Elisabeth Maret, information officer, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), phone no. 031 323 28 69



Publisher

Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
https://www.uvek.admin.ch/uvek/en/home.html

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