Plans to update EU type approval rules and emission limits for internal combustion engines in non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), such as lawn mowers, bulldozers, diesel locomotives and inland waterway vessels, were backed by MEPs on Wednesday. These plans had already been agreed informally with the Dutch Presidency of the Council. NRMM engines account for about 15% of all NOx and 5% of particulate emissions in the EU.
“We managed to reach a very positive final agreement: a really important balance between environmental protection and the competitiveness of European enterprises”, said lead MEP Elisabetta Gardini (EPP, IT). Her report was approved by 623 votes to 57, with 27 abstentions.
“We have tightened the limits proposed by the European Commission even further for many engines' power ranges, but we kept the approach reasonable enough so that the industry can comply with the new requirements in a short time - and this was the most important goal”, she added.
The legislation defines engine categories, which are divided into sub-categories according to their power range. For each category, it sets emission limits for CO, HC, NOX and particulate matter (PM) and deadlines for implementing them, starting from 2018.
Compared to the existing directive, the legislation covers more types of engines, simplifies administrative procedures and improves enforcement and market surveillance.
Real-world emissions
The plans include a new in-service engine performance monitoring system which should close the current gap between laboratory emission test figures and those measured in the real world.
Retrofitting
As advocated by MEPs, the EU Commission will have to assess the possibility of laying down harmonised measures for retrofitting emission control devices to engines. MEPs also won a review clause, with a view to achieving further emission reductions
Source: European Parliament.