New Challenges in the Filed of Ambient Air Protection with the Emphasis on Economic (in)efficiencies of Chimney Sweeping Services

In: Lex localis: journal of local self-government, Band 11, Heft 3, S. 311-324

Abstract

This paper analyzes new challenges in the field of ambient air protection, such as the use of new energy-generating products, and assesses the air quality protection responsibilities of local communities in European Union (EU) Member States. Domestic heating systems are a major source of air pollution. Thus, chimney-sweeping services are very important and must be regulated to provide fire safety and guarantee better ambient air quality. This paper analyzes Slovenian legislation regulating chimney-sweeping services and compares the Slovenian laws with comparable laws of other European countries and the national laws of EU Member States to examine the laws' effectiveness in regulating and protecting air quality. More specifically, the paper uses legal and economic analyses to examine the efficiency of current legislation pertaining to chimney-sweeping services. The paper concludes that, consistent with theories of asymmetric information and negative externalities, licensing would be more effective in meeting the challenges of ambient air protection than current exclusive concession agreements, which effectively establish geographical monopolies in chimney-sweeping services.