Exhaust Emission Standards for Motor Vehicles

Website

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/transport/road.htm

Target 

The exhaust emission standard (European standard, pollutant category) is not an environmental label in the strictest sense, but it prescribes compliance with the established air pollutant thresh-old values for new vehicles.

Product group

All passenger cars, heavy goods vehicles, buses, motorcycles and mopeds

Awarding Institution & Criteria

The threshold values according to the European exhaust emission standard apply to the air pol-lutants carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO_x), all hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM). The threshold values vary according to engine type and vehicle type, and constantly become stricter. Since September1^st, 2009 the EURO 5 standard applies throughout Europe (EC directive 98/69/EC), and is statutory for all newly purchased vehicles. As of 2009, the emissions level EURO 5  applies to all new bus and heavy goods vehicle models (99/69/EC).

To check for compliance with the exhaust emission standard, the emissions of every new vehicle model are measured in a standardised testing procedure.