European Parliament votes on emissions rules

The European Parliament has approved amendments to the directive that will impose Stage III emission limits on newly manufactured plant. The move is designed to bring EU standards into line with those of the US.

The directive provides for a gradual reduction in Nox emissions until 2014, obliging the fitting in the medium term of particle filters.

The proposals set new limits for nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions for engines between 130kW and 560kW from 30 June 2005.

Engines with outputs from 75kW to 130kW and those from 19kW to 37kW will have to comply by 31 December 2005, while units between 37kW and 75kW have a deadline of 31 December 2006.

Constant-speed engines will have another set of Stage III limits (which the committee wants to call Stage IV). These would come in after 31 December 2009 for engines between 19kW and 37kW, 130kW and 560kW, and 75kW to 130kW, or 31 December 2010 for 37kW to 75kW units.

The directive does not apply to machinery already in use, even when engines have to be replaced.