Welsh Ministers have set 23 January 2026 as the start date for section 7 of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024. The Commencement No. 3 Order 2026 was made on 16 January 2026 by Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. With section 7 commenced, the remaining operative part of the 2024 Act moves into force.
Section 7 creates a duty on the Welsh Ministers to make arrangements to obtain data on air quality in Wales that are suitable for monitoring progress towards any targets set under sections 1 and 2. It also requires publication of any data obtained “as soon as is reasonably practicable.” (legislation.gov.uk)
Most provisions of the Act are already active. Sections 1–6, 8–10, 12–15, 22–27 and Schedule 2 came into force two months after Royal Assent, on 14 April 2024, under the Act’s own commencement clause. Section 11 began on 31 January 2025 via Commencement No. 1, and sections 16–21 and Schedule 1 followed on 31 July 2025 via Commencement No. 2. (legislation.gov.uk)
The monitoring duty links directly to the Act’s target-setting framework. Ministers may set additional air quality targets and must set a PM2.5 target by regulations, with a deadline to lay a draft before the Senedd within three years of Royal Assent-by 14 February 2027. (legislation.gov.uk)
Welsh Government’s integrated impact assessment for the proposed Air Quality Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (Wales) Regulations 2026 outlines an approach based on “representative monitoring” stations across Wales, annual assessments and the addition of monitoring sites to strengthen coverage. Section 7’s commencement provides the statutory basis for collecting and publishing the data those proposals rely on. (gov.wales)
Data gathered under section 7 feeds statutory accountability. Section 5 requires Ministers to publish a statement by each target’s reporting date confirming whether it has been met, and-if it has not-to publish a remedial report within 12 months. Section 6 adds a five‑year review cycle. (legislation.gov.uk)
For local authorities, a more consistent national dataset supports the air quality management duties that commenced on 31 July 2025, including reviews, action plans for management areas and compliance with Ministerial directions. These operational powers remain local, but the evidence base becomes national and routinely published. (legislation.gov.uk)
Publication practice is also evolving. From 1 January 2026, new Senedd procedures and publication rules for Welsh statutory instruments took effect, with the King’s Printer responsible for publication and all instruments laid before the Senedd-context that aligns with section 7’s requirement to publish air quality data promptly. (senedd.wales)
The Welsh Government has indicated in its November 2025 assessment that progress towards the forthcoming PM2.5 target will be assessed annually and supported by an expanded monitoring network. Section 7’s commencement ensures those monitoring and reporting arrangements proceed on a clear legal footing. (gov.wales)