A new working group is being formed to develop community-based guideline values for ambient odour assessment using UNE 77270. Coordinated through AMIGO, the group will bring together representatives from public authorities, consultancies, research, community groups and businesses whose activities may generate odour nuisance.
The group will meet for the first time on 13 January 2027 at 15:30 CET (Spanish time). Its work aims to help establish a shared approach for projects using UNE 77270, drawing on dose–effect studies where possible and, where these are unavailable, seeking consensus among participants. Read on to learn why the initiative is being launched and how to take part.
The working group has spent several years helping to develop UNE 77270. Since the standard was published, different organisations have applied it in a range of projects. However, the community has not yet established a common set of guideline values, so consultancies and individual projects have tended to use their own criteria.
The new group will explore whether guideline values can be developed using the UNE 77270 methodology. Where suitable dose–effect studies are available, they will inform the discussion; where they are not, the group will seek to build a consensus-based approach.
Assessing odour in ambient air can be complex. EN 16841 Parts 1 and 2 provide methods for estimating odour in the environment, but their guideline values are based on dose–effect studies carried out in the 1980s and 1990s. Those values may not reflect the air-quality standards a community expects today.
As a result, an assessment using these methods may indicate no impact even when residents continue to report odour consistently. UNE 77270 was developed to help address a related question: what is the state of odour-related air quality that a community wants at a particular time?
The working group will be coordinated through AMIGO, the International Environmental Association of Odour Managers. Its broad representation is intended to bring different perspectives to the table and help develop a shared criterion for projects of this kind.
Anyone interested in contributing is welcome to join. The organisers believe that participation from as many people and sectors as possible will strengthen the discussion. To take part, contact info@gestoresdelolor.org or get in touch with us so we can add you to the group.
