The Moroccan Institute for Standardization (Imanor) has just launched a large public consultation around twenty technical standard projects aimed at strengthening air quality regulation. Led by the CN 11 committee dedicated to this subject, the initiative will continue until June 10.
These texts cover several areas: ambient air pollution, industrial emissions, and occupational exposure conditions to chemical substances. Some projects are the result of alignment with European (EN) or international (ISO) standards, highlighting a desire for regulatory harmonization with global best practices.
Interested contributors, whether they are industrialists, scientists, association actors, or citizens, can send their comments and proposals to Abdeljalil Chegdali (chegdali@imanor.ma), who is in charge of the public inquiry.
Targeted pollutants and specific protocols
Among the substances concerned are fine particles (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as specific compounds like formaldehyde or phthalates. These elements are identified as having a notable impact on public health.
The standard PNM EN 12341 introduces a reference gravimetric method for measuring particles in ambient air, replacing existing standards. Other documents define the quantification techniques for sulfur dioxide (PNM ISO 7934, PNM EN 14212) and nitrogen oxides from fixed installations (PNM EN 14791 and PNM EN 14792).
Indoor air and work environment under scrutiny
Another important aspect of the consultation concerns indoor air. Several standard projects (from the ISO 16000 series) detail the sampling and analysis methods to detect VOCs emitted by building materials, using test chambers or mass spectrometry.
The professional environment is also targeted, with texts addressing measurement strategies for worker exposure, particularly through the PNM EN 689 and PNM EN 482 standards. One project even introduces a passive sampling device (PNM EN 16339) for nitrogen dioxide, useful for creating accurate pollution maps.
A dynamic of openness and transparency
By putting these projects up for debate, Imanor paves the way for standardization based on consultation. The goal is to build a robust technical framework to better monitor air quality, whether in public spaces, indoors, or industrial areas.
This process, deemed essential by industry experts, will anchor future standards in strict scientific requirements while taking local realities into account. It is also part of the national desire to respond to environmental challenges through more refined and adapted regulation.
With Barlamane
