Protection of the quality of air in the legislation of the Republic of Serbia as a process of harmonisation with the EU legislation

Abstract

In this paper the authors present the most important international and EU regulations in the field of air pollution as one specific issue within environmental protection. Through analysis of the European legislation the authors point the normative framework that is being implemented in the legislation of Republic of Serbia. Special attention is focused on the legislation of Republic of Serbia related to this field by studying the level of harmonisation of the Serbian regulations on air pollution with the European legislation. In this paper the authors studied the synergy of the legislative and the actual state of pollution of ambient air on the basis of exact parameters due to the territory of the Republic of Serbia, assessing the quality of legal provisions and their applicability, pointing to possible failures in legislation and in implementing these provisions. It is also pointed out the necessity of full harmonisation of national legislation with the European Union and the implementation of legal provisions in practice. By rendering the Law on Air Protection of Republic of Serbia in 2009, the EU regulations, which regulate air quality, here has been taken over and incorporated into domestic regulations. Complete compliance will be achieved by rendering subordinate regulations based on the Law. Besides, the consistent application of regulations in practice is necessary in order to improve air quality monitoring and prevent transparency and accessibility of information.