Article 13 Limit values, target values and average exposure reduction obligations

1.   Member States shall ensure that, throughout their zones, levels of pollutants in ambient air do not exceed the respective limit values laid down in Section 1 of Annex I.

2.   Member States shall ensure, by taking all necessary measures not entailing disproportionate costs, that levels of pollutants throughout their zones do not exceed the respective target values laid down in Sections 1 and 2 of Annex I.

3.   Member States shall ensure that the average exposure reduction obligations for PM2,5 and NO2 laid down in Section 5, Point B, of Annex I, are met throughout their average exposure territorial units, where they exceed the average exposure concentration objectives set out in Section 5, Point C, of Annex I.

4.   Compliance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article shall be assessed in accordance with Annex IV.

5.   The average exposure indicators shall be assessed in accordance with Section 5, Point A, of Annex I.

6.   The deadline for attaining the limit values laid down in Section 1, Table 1, of Annex I may be postponed in accordance with Article 18.

7.   Member States may maintain or introduce more stringent protective measures, including air quality standards that are more stringent than those referred to in this Article, in accordance with Article 193 TFEU. Member States shall notify such measures to the Commission within 3 months of their adoption.