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BackExhaust gases of NRMM (non-road mobile machinery) are an underrated danger for both health and environment in Europe. They include engines in lawnmowers, diesel engines, inland waterway vessels, bulldozers, construction and harvesting machines and many more and cause 15 % of all nitric oxide and 5 % of all particle emissions in the EU. According to the European Environment Agency, about 400,000 premature deaths are linked to air pollution. On July 5th, the European Parliament has agreed to the compromise with the Council on new type approval regulations and emission values. Rapporteur Elisabetta Gardini (EPP) emphasised the necessity of stricter limits but also that care had been taken to ensure that the industry would be able to fulfil these requires within a short period of time. Compared to the old EU Directive, the new Regulation concerns more engine categories; however, it does tighten the administrative procedures and improves market surveillance.
An improvement, but not ambitious enough
Exhaust gases do not only affect the environment. In the EU legislative procedure, the AK had pointed towards the aspect of employee protection. Employees working in the direct vicinity of the exhaust gas systems of these engines are subjected to a high health risk (e.g. danger of cancer through diesel exhaust gases). Whilst in particular MEPs of the S&D faction supported stricter rules (e.g. upgrading old engines), this was watered down by other factions (EPP, ECR). However, for the first time the compromise prescribes a binding diesel particle filter obligation e.g. for new construction engines and was adopted in the plenary with 623 votes.
Further information:
AK Europa Position Paper: Proposal for a Regulation regarding emission values and type approval for internal combustion engines for non-road mobile machinery and equipment