Brussels, 21/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 21 December, the European Commission proposed that emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from heavy goods vehicles and buses be reduced (by 80% and 66% respectively compared with the Euro V stage). The new “Euro VI” standard will significantly contribute to a further improvement of air quality in Europe, says a Commission press release. It will also be a step forward towards global harmonisation as it provides for limit values similar to those of the United States of America. Furthermore, current legislation will be simplified as directives (which need to be transposed in 27 different national legislations) will be replaced by regulations which are directly applicable. The Euro VI should come into effect in 2013. The proposal has been the subject of stakeholder and internet consultation exercises, and will now be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. In addition to tighter limit values, the proposal introduces provisions on off-cycle emissions, on-board diagnostic, access to repair information, durability of pollution control devices, replacement pollution control devices, conformity of in-service engines and vehicles, carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption measurement. The proposal also provides for the introduction of a particle number limit value. The aim of these measures is to improve the effectiveness of heavy vehicle emissions legislation.
The proposal and its impact assessment are available at:
http: //ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/pagesbackground/pollutant_emission/index.htm (O.J.)