au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/2012-2013/Vehicle FuelStandards, archived at https://perma.cc/X9TS-3KZV. [5] National Environment Protection Measures, National Environment Protection Council (NEPC), http://www.nepc.gov.au/nepms (last visited Apr. [7] The NEPC itself is made up of representatives from the federal government and the governments of each state and territory. [8] NEPC Act s 9; About NEPC, NEPC, http://www.nepc.gov.au/about-us (last visited Apr. 9, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/F93Y-5NMT. Official blog from the Law Library of Congress, Back to Index of Regulation of Air Pollution. This week, we take a look at five sobering facts about the state of pollution and it’s effects in Australia. 6, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/KQF5-W2BR. [11] For related NEPC documents see National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure, NEPC, http://www.nepc.gov.au/nepms/ambient-air-quality (last visited Apr. Air pollution is also responsible … [86] Ministerial Forum on Vehicle Emissions, Better Fuel for Cleaner Air: Discussion Paper (Dec. 2016), http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/consultations/f3f4acc3-f9e6-4cc3-8a1e-a59a6490cffd/files/better-fuel-cleaner-air.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/2TJL-BDQ2. Combustion, including biomass (vegetation) burning in domestic wood heaters, prescribed burns and bushfires, motor vehicles and metal manufacturing, Road dust, metal manufacturing and metal ore mining, Combination of nitrogen and oxygen during high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels, Motor vehicle exhaust (responsible for about 80% of urban NO, Electricity generation in fossil-fuelled power stations, petrol and metal refining, food processing and other manufacturing industries, Electricity generation in coal-fired power stations; metal smelting of sulfurous ores, including lead, copper, zinc, aluminium and iron, In non-urban areas: biomass (vegetation) burning in domestic wood heaters; prescribed burns and bushfires; windblown dust from agriculture, mining, other land uses and the natural environment; road dust, In urban areas: motor vehicles, domestic wood heaters (in winter), construction activities and secondary particles, Contains both primary and secondary pollutants, Combustion sources, secondary nitrates and sulfates, secondary organic aerosol and natural-origin dust, Atmospheric photochemical reactions of primary pollutants, NO. The Committee includes at least one representative from each state and territory government plus a representative from the federal government, and also includes “at least one person representing fuel producers, a non-government body with an interest in the protection of the environment, and a person representing the interests of consumers.”[49], An independent review of the Act was completed in April 2016, with the final report showing that the Act has “led to a quantifiable reduction in the level of pollutants and emissions arising from the use of fuel that may cause environmental and health problems.”[50] The report contained several recommendations related to the retention of and possible amendments to the legislative framework. See also Ministerial Forum on Vehicle Emissions, Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/environment/forum/index.aspx (last updated Mar. gov.au/topics/environment-protection/fuel-quality/standards/petrol, https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2008C00344, http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/environment-protection/fuel-quality/standards/ethanol-e85, https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2012L01770, http://www.environment. [76] Vehicle Emission Standards, supra note 69. [47], The Department of the Environment and Energy is responsible for setting fuel standards, monitoring industry compliance with the standards, granting approvals for businesses to supply fuel that varies from the standards, and reviewing fuel standards. We have recently adopted the United Nations based Euro 5 noxious emissions standards for light and heavy vehicles and are now considering the adoption of Euro 6.  We are also working with other countries to improve the vehicle testing arrangements for noxious emissions. [4] Effectiveness of Management: Ambient Air Quality, Australia: State of the Environment 2016, https://soe.environment.gov.au/theme/ambient-air-quality/framework/effectiveness-of-management (last visited Apr. Alpha Environmental are established environmental consultants based in Melbourne. There are two ways this can occur: Firstly, other laws may call up the ADRs. [17] National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure, cls 6(1) & 8, sch 2. Information regarding the current review of the fuel quality standards legislation is provided below, Part VI.

cl 8. [6] National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (Cth) (NEPC Act) s 14, https://www.legislation. [49] Fuel Standards Consultative Committee, Department of the Environment and Energy, http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/fuel-quality/standards/consultative-committee (last visited Apr.

In addition to these requirements, ADR 81/02 contains requirements for fuel consumption and emissions labeling for light vehicles. [48] Fuel Quality, supra note 46. The 2016 State of the Environment report, published by the Australian government, explains the ambient air quality management framework as follows: Each level of government—Australian, state and territory, and local—plays a role in managing the impacts of air pollution by preventing or minimising air pollutant emissions. gov.au/protection/air-quality/national-clean-air-agreement (last visited Apr.

Actions taken under the agreement include new regulations related to product emissions and a new target regarding particle pollution. A factsheet on the Agreement provides the following information: At the time the Agreement was made, the environment ministers also agreed to three key initial actions under the Agreement, being the introduction of product emission standards for outdoor power equipment and marine engines (discussed below, Part IV); measures to reduce air pollution from wood heaters; and strengthened ambient air quality reporting standards for particle pollution. [14], The Air Toxics NEPM was established in 2004 for an initial group of pollutants: formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A focus on strengthening knowledge, education and awareness about air quality. See also Anna Mortimore, Australia Has Stalled on Car Efficiency, The Conversation (June 8, 2017), https://theconversation.com/australia-has-stalled-on-car-efficiency-78920, archived at https://perma.cc/4L3R-JT5T. [9] The NEPC is able to make measures related to motor vehicle noise and emissions, but where these involve standards relating to the design, construction, and technical characteristics of new and in-service motor vehicles they must “be developed and agreed in conjunction with the National Transport Commission” and determined in accordance with other relevant legislation.[10]. [74] Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 80/03 – Emission Control for Heavy Vehicles) 2006 (Cth), https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2013C00048, archived at https://perma.cc/8GQQ-R3XV.Â.

[83], The press release further stated that “Australia already has in place a mandatory consumer information programme that mandates fuel efficiency labelling on new cars, as well as a voluntary programme through the Green Vehicle Guide that aims to assist consumers to make informed purchasing decisions,” and that “[t]he Government will examine further measures such as incentives and standards to encourage the purchase of more fuel efficient vehicles.”[84].