Air pollution: measures to be taken against emission of gaseous pollutants from diesel engines (amend. Directive 88/77/EEC)

Pending Parliament’s opinion the Council held a debate on the proposals amending Directives 70/220/EEC and 88/77/EEC and providing for: - firstly, an extension of the special arrangements for small diesel engines until 30 September 1999, by prescribing a reduction in the limit value for particulate emissions to 0.25 g/kWh (instead of the current 0.61 g/kWh), on the grounds that those engines cannot yet meet the 0.15 g/kWh limit to be complied with from 1 October 1995 under Directive 91/542/EEC; - secondly, a statistical method to check production conformity. The debate brought out the main problems posed by the proposals, which relate to tax incentives, limit values and possible exemptions. The Permanent Representatives Committee will expedite examination of the dossier in the light of Parliament’s opinion.