Air pollution: measures to be taken against emission of gaseous pollutants from internal combustion engines

OBJECTIVE: - The proposal for a directive aims to introduce viable measures for reducing emissions from non-road mobile machinery (excluding agricultural and forestry tractors). This fits in with the implementation of the Fifth Action Programme on the Environment and is part of a global strategy which is aimed at reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in the European Union. SUBSTANCE: - The proposal introduces an approval procedure for the engines of non-road mobile machinery (for example, excavators, fork-lift trucks and grading machines); - The approval criteria are based on emissions of atmospheric pollutants, such as particulates, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide; - In order give industry time to comply with the new measures, the proposal provides for the emissions to be progressively reduced in two stages: stage I lasting from June 1997 to December 1998 and stage II from June 2001 to December 2003; - The approval procedures being proposed are based on those which Community legislation applies to on-road engines and machinery. However, the administrative actions are limited by the introduction of a system of self-certification for manufacturers, designed to ensure that their products comply within the set deadlines, and a type approval system which allows engines to be classified according to category; - Administrative control is limited to the evaluation of manufacturers' reports, the introduction of spot-checks on product compliance and engine numbering; - The Commission view was that by stage II, emissions from non-road vehicles would be reduced by 67% for particulates, 29% for hydrocarbons and 42% for nitrogen oxides. �