Air pollution: application of emission stages to narrow-track tractors
PURPOSE: to ensure the functioning of the internal market by requiring agricultural tractors to comply with harmonised environmental exhaust provisions.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive 2011/87/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2000/25/EC as regards the application of emission stages for narrow-track tractors.
CONTENT: following an agreement at first reading with the European Parliament, the Council adopted a directive amending Directive 2000/25/EC as regards the application of emission stages for narrow-track tractors in order to help engine manufacturers adapt to stricter environmental requirements.
The Danish delegation voted against.
Directive 2000/25/EC regulates exhaust emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants from engines installed in agricultural and forestry tractors with a view to contributing to the protection of human health and the environment. It provided that the emissions limits applicable in 2010 for type approval of the majority of diesel engines (known as Stage IIIA) were to be replaced by the more stringent limits (Stage IIIB) progressively.
Stage IV, providing for emissions limits more stringent than Stage IIIB, will enter into force progressively as from 1 January 2013 as regards the type-approval for those engines and from 1 January 2014 with regard to placing on the market.
Directive 2000/25/EC is amended in order to grant a transitional period of three years during which narrow-track tractors (tractors of categories T2, T4.1 et C2) may still be type approved and placed on the market before complying with emission requirements of Stages IIIB and IV.
The Commission shall, by 31 December 2014, consider what technology is available that is capable of meeting Stage IV requirements and that is compatible with the needs of categories T2, T4.1 and C2, and submit, where appropriate, proposals to the European Parliament and the Council.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 08/12/2011.
TRANSPOSITION: 09/12/2012.