Emission of gaseous pollutants from compression-ignition engines and from positive-ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles. Recast

PURPOSE: to introduce common technical requirements concerning gaseous and particulate emissions for all types of vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive 2005/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression-ignition engines for use in vehicles and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive-ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles.

CONTENT: For the sake of clarity the European Commission is recasting Directive 88/77 under one new Directive and, at the same time, incorporating the provisions of related Directives into this new Directive. The related Directives being recast are 91/542, 1999/96 and 2001/27.

The recast Directive states that Member States are allowed to grant neither EC type, nor national type approval, to vehicles, which fail to conform to the provisions set out in the recast Directive. Manufacturers must be able to demonstrate that their vehicles comply with the new limit values for a useful life. All vehicles relating to the provisions of this Directive must be equipped with on-board diagnostic systems to monitor, for example a catalyst or diesel particulate filter. Tax incentives are only allowed in cases where vehicles comply with this Directive and any such incentives must be compatible with overall Treaty provisions. The Commission will review new emission limits applicable to heavy-duty vehicles and engines in respect of pollutants that are as yet unregulated. In addition, the Commission will submit new proposals on further NOx and particulate emissions for heavy-duty vehicles.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 9 November 2005.

TRANSPOSITION: 9 November 2006.