3. Current Conditions Influencing the Phase-out of Lead in the SILAQ Countries

3.1 Existing regulatory framework regarding vehicle-related air pollution

TABLE 7: In-Country Quality Standards Applied to Unleaded Gasoline (as of 1996)
	Quality Standards
Country	Benzene (%vol/vol)	Aromatic (%vol/vol)	Sulfur (%mass/mass)	Olefins (%vol/vol)	Other		Research
					Lead (max) (g/l)	Oxidation stability (minutes)	Octane Number/quality covered
Bulgaria	5	-	0.05	-	0.013	-	95
Czech Republic2	5	50	ND3	ND3	0.013	-	95
Hungary	2	-	0.05	-	0.013	-	91, 95, 98
Poland	5	-	1	-	-	-	95, 98
Romania	5	-	0.1	3	0.013	-	P1 95
	-	-	0.1	4	0.013	-	R1 87
Slovakia	5	-	0.05	-	0.013	-	91, 95, 98
Slovenia	5	-	0.05	-	0.013	360	91, 95
EU Directive	<5	-	-	-	0.013	-	95
1. P - premium, R - regular; 2. Data for 1995; 3. ND - not determined by standard.

SILAQ Country Standards	Bulgaria reports that since 1990, the average actual lead content in its leaded gasoline (0.13 g/l) is lower than the maximum permissible value specified in the country's regulations. In the Czech Republic, the quality standards for both leaded and unleaded gasoline have not changed during the period from 1990-1995. In Hungary, the actual lead content is closer to 0.12-0.13 g/l in leaded gasoline, and 0.005-0.0095 g/l in unleaded. An increase in the actual lead content in leaded gasoline from 0.075 g/l in 1993 to 0.13 g/l in 1996 was reported by Poland. Romania has the highest lead levels, exceeding the EU limit of 0.15 g/l for leaded gasoline. However, the maximum lead content was reduced from 0.4 g/l to 0.32 g/l in 1996. In Slovakia, a new Decree of the Ministry of Environment, No. 268 on Fuel Quality was adopted in 1997. The standards came into force on January 1, 1998, and set the following obligatory requirements: benzene (max. concentration) 3% vol. sulfur (max. concentration) 0.05% lead (max. concentration) 0.005 g/l Fuel quality has to be proved through a certification procedure, and at present, only unleaded gasoline is in use. In Slovenia, the lead content in leaded gasoline was decreased from 0.6 g/l to 0.15 g/l in 1995 following the introduction of new quality standards.
Phase-out Process	The implementation of EU guidelines and the adoption of new quality standards for the lead content in gasoline will continue up to the year 2000 in Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. The phase-out of leaded gasoline in Slovenia is dependent on imports of unleaded gasoline and the appropriate additives. Bulgarian, Romanian and Polish authorities ascertain that a major constraint to the acceleration of the phase-out of lead in gasoline is the poor octane production capacity of their refineries, and the need for significant investments in modernizing existing production units. At the same time, especially in Bulgaria and Romania, a more effective policy needs to be introduced to encourage the consumption of unleaded gasoline, because production capacity currently exceeds domestic market demand. In fact, production capacity for unleaded gasoline in Romania could even meet total consumption demands. 3.1.2 Use of Catalytic Converters The introduction of requirements for the mandatory use of catalytic converters on new cars is one of the most effective instruments for controlling vehicle-related air pollution. However, two facts should be pointed out in this context.
Vehicle Fleet Turnover	First, the effectiveness of this measure depends on the vehicle fleet turnover rate, that is how quickly new cars replace old ones. The effectiveness is lower in countries with old vehicle fleets and low turnover rates. This is the case in most SILAQ countries, which indicates that the fitting of converters alone will not be sufficient to bring about a quick reduction in levels of vehicle-related air pollution. Second, the primary purpose of the catalytic converter is not to limit the level of lead emissions (this can only be achieved through reducing the lead content of gasoline) but, rather, to control emissions of other air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons. The installation of the catalytic converter can reduce those emissions by as much as 70 percent to 80 percent. Engines equipped with catalytic converters cannot, however, use leaded gasoline, as the lead compounds can cause almost immediate damage to the converter.
Converter Requirements in SILAQ Countries	Notwithstanding the comments above, the requirement for the use of catalytic converters is an important factor in any lead phase-out strategy. All of the SILAQ countries, with the exception of Bulgaria, include measures for the adoption of catalytic converters as part of their government plans for the phase-out of leaded gasoline. However, requirements for the use of catalytic converters differ among these countries. Converters have been required on all new and imported cars in the Czech Republic (since 1993), Hungary (since 1996), Poland (since 1995), Slovakia (since 1993) and Slovenia (since 1994). In addition, the Czech Republic passed a requirement for the fitting of catalytic converters complying specifically with EU regulation 93/59 (S2) on all new imported cars from January 1, 1997. In Bulgaria, only imported cars fueled by unleaded gasoline must have catalytic converters. Two stages are planned in Romania: in 1998, catalytic converters will be mandatory for imported cars, while between 1999 and 2000 will be required for domestically-produced cars. Table 8 presents data on the use of catalytic converters among passenger cars. It is clear that the number of passenger cars with catalytic converters varies quite considerably among the SILAQ countries.

TABLE 8: Passenger Cars Fitted with Catalytic Converters (in 000s)
Country	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995 (forecast)	1996 (estimate)
Czech Republic				51,2	7.52	11.52
Hungary			134	171	210	2951
Poland					70	205	6001
Romania					1	2.8	4.7
Slovakia	5.88	6.15	6.45	8.061	38.02	85.4	175.0
1. Denotes the introduction of requirements for the use of catalytic converters. 2. Percentage figure of the total number of cars.

	These figures are largely the result of a large share of aged cars and the smaller share of new and imported cars equipped with catalytic converters. Economic growth will likely allow an increase in the number of new cars on the road and the number of passenger cars equipped with catalytic converters. In this context, it is important to point out that vehicles with catalytic converters can only use unleaded gasoline (lead will cause almost irreversible damage to the catalyst or even mechanical destruction of the catalytic unit). Therefore, an adequate supply of and access to unleaded gasoline is imperative, possibly accompanied by measures preventing accidental misfuelling. 3.1.3 Requirements for the Technical Testing of Vehicles The importance of the technical testing of vehicles lies in the fact that it involves the gasoline "end-user". Individual car owners tend to be much more difficult to influence and control than the limited number of refineries and gasoline distributors.
Emission Testing	In the early eighties, the periodic technical testing focused primarily on the "road-worthiness" of a vehicle, that is the state and functioning of its components influencing road safety (e.g., brakes, steering system, lights adjustment, etc.). In most EU countries, strict air emission standards have since been imposed on cars, and the measurement of exhaust emission levels has become an integral part of the technical testing process. Cars failing to meet the required standards are not allowed on the road until they comply with the applicable limits. While issues concerning the framework for the periodic technical inspection of vehicles were not explored in the country Data Sheet surveys, it is important to note that the technical testing of vehicles is an issue of importance, not only for the transition phase-out period, but is also obligatory in harmonizing with EU standards for vehicle emission control.
Vehicle Testing in Hungary	In Hungary, the periodic technical inspection of vehicles has been enforced since 1991, and includes the control of vehicle emissions. Most other SILAQ countries have similar systems in place, although with varying emphasis on controlling exhaust emissions and with varying degrees of success. Programs for the periodic technical inspection of vehicles together with cost analyses, financing, and organizational proposals should be further developed by all the SILAQ countries. 3.1.4 Existing Monitoring Frameworks for the Control of Air Pollution from Mobile Sources
Roadside Testing	The monitoring systems for air pollution control, and the related regulations and standards play an important role in air quality management. Most monitoring activities with regard to mobile pollution sources focus on ambient air quality. However, some SILAQ countries have introduced, albeit on a limited scale, spot-checking of vehicle emission levels using portable equipment.
Monitoring Networks	In Bulgaria, there are more than 20 stations measuring air pollution from mobile sources in residential districts. The stations are part of the National Automated System for Environmental Monitoring (NASEM), and are situated in residential areas with heavy industry, in towns with lead production facilities, and within two of the largest cities in Bulgaria. Since 1991, the monitoring data indicate decreasing lead emissions in regions with industrial pollution and a slight decrease in the level of pollution from mobile sources. In the Czech Republic, a National Monitoring Network of the Health Service monitors air quality, including the concentration of lead in air. Measuring points are placed in the capitals of all districts. In Slovakia, air quality is monitored by seven regional (background) and 35 local monitoring stations. Overall, the Country Status Reports and Data Sheets provided limited information regarding the existing framework for controlling air pollution from mobile sources. For more detailed analysis, additional information is needed. Future follow-up studies might correlate exposure data with the health status of the residents of regions, cities, and districts heavily affected by airborne lead pollution.