1 The European Pollutant Emission Register 4th WHO Ministerial Conference Budapest 23 June 2004 Andreas Barkman European Environment Agency

2 Scope of the presentation The European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER) From EPER to E-PRTR: the future European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) The role of PRTR information in an Environment and Health context

3 The European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER) Launched 23 February 2004 by the European Commission and European Environment Agency The main objectives of EPER are to: enhance public access to and awareness of releases of 50 key pollutants from medium and large sized facilities in EU provide a new data source for large point sources for development and improvement of indicators and assessments provide the stepping-stone for EU to comply with the UNECE PRTR Protocol

4 What is EPER? A processA productA start... Communicate EPER Data base EPER Web site EPER no.1 E-PRTR Country CEC/EEA Public Facility Collect Report Compile

5 The EPER web site in short 17 countries (EU15+NO+HU) 50 pollutants (+description sheets on environmental and health risks) 56 industrial activities 9376 facilities 2001 emission data >100,000 visits since the launch >750,000 web pages shown >1,600,000 hits  …..very high interest in EPER!

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8 Key learnings - 1 st EPER reporting +Legislation for data collection is in place +Electronic tools for reporting are useful +Few claims for confidentiality of data +EPER data is representative and often covers a substantial share of total national emissions +High interest in the EPER web site by many different users! –Not all countries submitted complete EPER data –QA/QC procedures on country level needs to be improved (e.g. harmonized methodologies and review) –Additional meta- information increases usefulness –Translation of web site could be useful

9 From EPER to E-PRTR Proposal of E-PRTR regulation by the European Commission Expansion in all dimensions to match the PRTR Protocol and existing EU legislation Inclusion of releases to land and transfers of waste More pollutants (+36) More industrial activities (+8) Diffuse sources (optional) More countries (EU25+X) Annual reporting (2007 data in )

10 Role of PRTR information in an Environment and Health context Improves knowledge and awareness (public, industry etc) Facilitates dialogue Adds value to risk assessment: potential exposures improves spatial assessments and modelling identification of hotspots, helps contingency planning Strengthens accountability and internal auditing Improves quality of other information systems for environment and health issues PRTR info Georeferenced Transparent Comparable Consistent

11 General conclusions EPER/E-PRTR information already exists and will continue to be developed on pan-European scale EPER/E-PRTR brings important information to help identify, assess and mitigate environmental and health risks

12 Thank you for your attention!