Proposal for a directive
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) Given the difficulties experienced by Member States in achieving air quality targets established in Union law and the gap that still exists between those targets and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, the Commission should assist in preparing the necessary analysis for an application to the IMO for a designation of additional European sea areas as SECAs, namely in the Mediterranean, the North-east Atlantic and the Black Sea. The Commission should also investigate the merits of designating European sea areas as NOx Emission Control Areas. Or. ro (Recital 12a (new), Directive 1999/32/EC)