US EPA passes the Interstate Air Quality proposal
The US Environmental Protection Agency passed the Interstate Air Quality proposal aimed at substantial cuts in sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from power plants. According to the proposal, Sulfur dioxide emissions would drop by 3.6 million tons in 2010 (a cut of approximately 40 percent from current levels) and by another 2 million tons per year when the rules are fully implemented (a total cut of approximately 70% from today's levels). NOx emissions would be cut by 1.5 million tons in 2010 and 1.8 million tons annually in 2015 (a reduction of approximately 65% from today's levels). Emissions will be permanently capped and cannot increase.
Departing from the command and control policy measures, the new proposal calls for voluntary agreements of utilities based on market-based approaches.
* SO2 and NOx contribute to both ozone and particulate pollution. Fine particiles can pose serious health risks, especially for people with heart or lung disease (including asthma) and older adults and children. Ground-level ozone can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate asthma, reduce lung capacity and increase people's susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and brochitis.

EU to strengthen the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
The European Union reached the agreement on the toughened revision of the 1994 Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. The directive now sets a new recycling target to a minimum of 55% by 2008, 30% higher than the preceding.
The agreement now must be confirmed in third reading by EU's Council and Parliament. The new Directive is likely to enter into force in early spring 2004 and will need to be transposed into national legislation by autumn 2005.