Air pollution: emissions from motor vehicles, Auto-oil programme (amend. Directive 70/220/EEC)

OBJECTIVE: on the basis of the results of the Auto-Oil programme, the Directive seeks to tighten the emission standards applicable to motor vehicles. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Directive 98/69/EC of the European Parliament and the Council relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles and amending Directive 70/220/EEC. CONTENT: the Directive seeks to make compulsory for the year 2000 and the year 2005 stricter limit values for air polluting emissions from motor vehicles. In addition, it contains improvements in methods of measuring exhaust and evaporative emissions and lays down new standards with the purpose of ensuring the durability of anti-pollution systems, in particular by the introduction of: - on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems which can detect malfunctions in anti-pollution equipment and signal these to the driver, as well as register these defects to permit technical control stations to check the operation of the system and diagnose any eventual repairs that might be required; - measures regarding conformity of in-service vehicles which have as their purpose to ensure that the vehicle complies with the anti-pollution measures provided for in this Directive for 80,000 km or 5 years (the ?kilometrage? parameter will be extended to 100,000 km from 2005). The Directive also provides for the establishment of a test procedure to check low ambient temperature emissions after a cold start. Other aspects of the Directive: - fiscal incentives can be used to encourage the more rapid commercialisation of vehicles fitted with advanced anti-pollution equipment; - encouragement of more rapid replacement of cars with old engines; - possibility for Member States to introduce measures encouraging the equipment of old motor vehicles with anti-pollution devices; - additional efforts with a view to the commercialisation of vehicles that are more respectful of the environment; The Directive makes provision for follow-up work on these standards. After 31 December 1999, the Commission will submit proposals for legislation to come into force after 2005 dealing, in particular, with the following aspects: - modification of the durability requirements; - fuel quality standards; - the contribution to the attainment of long-term Community objectives on air quality; - potential and feasibility of local measures to reduce vehicle emissions; - the particular situation of captive fleets; - requirements for the operation of an on-board measurement system. The Directive makes provision for a regulatory committee which limits the power of the Council in favour of the Commission. Limit values can only be modified via the co-decision procedure. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 28 December 1998. DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION: 28 September 1999.�