Brussels, 06/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - With its high level of ambition and flexibility, European non-road mobile machine manufacturers welcomed the final inter-institutional compromise reached on the updated regulation to reduce atmospheric pollution from this kind of equipment, which contributes 15% of all nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 5% particulate matter (PM) emissions in the EU. The agreement was formally confirmed by the European Parliament on Tuesday 5 July (EUROPE 11587).
In a joint press release, the European manufacturers represented by their respective trade associations CECE (construction equipment), CEMA (agricultural machinery), EGMF (garden equipment), EUnited Municipal Equipment (municipal & road operation equipment) and FEM (materials handling equipment) immediately welcomed the result and stated "European mobile machines will become the cleanest in the world".
Ulrich Adam, Secretary General of CEMA, also said "The final compromise found between the EU Institutions strikes a good balance between improving air quality and maintaining the competitiveness of the European machine manufacturing industry".
In this regard, the non-road mobile machine manufacturers particularly welcome three points. First, the extension of the general transition scheme by 6 months (24 months in total) to give European machine manufacturers sufficient time to re-design their fleet to comply with the new requirements. Second, the introduction of a provision on replacement engines with a time limit of 20 years to allow for a continued use of machinery using replacement engines, thereby contributing to the EU's objectives on resource efficiency; Third, the taking into account of the special needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through further transitional provisions foreseen to cater for certain kinds of machines and companies, such as mobile cranes and small agricultural tractors. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)