Air pollution: emissions from small park ignition engines, non-road mobile machinery

PURPOSE: to present a Commission proposal for a Directive amending Directive 97/68/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed on non-road mobile machinery. CONTENT: the main purpose of amending Directive 97/68/EC is to contribute to achieving ambient air quality targets especially concerning formation of ozone. In general, the proposal for an amendment sets performance standards, leaving the manufacturer the freedom to design products that meet those standards. The main amendments in the proposal refer to the following: - world-wide alignment of legislation; - increasing the scope of the Directive with regard to engines; - change in the classification of engines; - regulation of pollutants; - a two-step approach in implementing the Directive; - limit values (and test procedures) and compliance with standards; - phase-in, averaging, banking and trading as regards engine production; - small volume manufacturers and production of small engine families - and finally, replacement engines.�