Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/732012
I DA U N I V E R S A L S e p te m b e r - O c to b e r 2 0 1 6 27 TRENDS AND TIDBITS continued from page 25 Trends continued on page 39 Off -highway machines will become the cleanest in the world, according to a new regulation adopted by the European Parliament. e new regulation tightens emission limits for particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for mobile machines, such as construction and quarrying machinery, as well as equipment used for municipal and road operation services. e regulation is the latest step in a series of limits, which have already reduced particu- late matter and nitrogen oxide emissions for land-based machines by over 95 percent in recent years. e new Stage V regulation is set to reduce emissions even further. It will introduce particulate number limits and extend the scope of the regulation to additional power categories. European manufacturers were represented by trade associations, such as CECE for construction equipment and FEM for materials handling equipment. e trade bodies commented that a balance was set between improving air quality and maintaining the competitiveness of the European machine manufac- turing industry. is balance was achieved thanks to a number of adjustments intro- duced during the legislative process, while keeping the original emission limits and introduction dates for land- based machinery as proposed by the European Commis- sion. Adjustments include, for instance, an extension of the general transition scheme to 24 months, to give European machine manufacturers suffi - cient time to re-design their fl eet to comply with the new requirements. Introducing a provision on replacement engines with a time limit of 20 years will allow for a continued use of machinery using replacement engines, contributing to the EU's objec- tives on resource effi ciency. "Overall, the new regulation sets an ambitious timeline. It will remain a challenge to re-design the hundreds of machinery types and applications in the timeframe given, but the machine manufac- turing industries are committed and capable to make these necessary adjustments and contribute to improving air quality in Europe," said Sigrid de Vries, secretary general of CECE. Importantly, the special needs of small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as the high level of specialization throughout the sector, have been refl ected in the fi nal compromise. For certain types of machines and enterprises, such as mobile cranes and narrow tractors, further transitional provisions were foreseen to cater to their specifi c needs. It remains to be seen whether the UK govern- ment continues to enforce EU engine emission regulations a er leaving the union. While many anti-Brussels politicians rail against regulations being handed down from above, the UK was closely involved in the development of the engine emissions regulations, and the prospect of the UK becoming a dumping ground for the rest of Europe's dirty old junk seems unlikely. e EU engine emissions regulation program has already reduced particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions for land-based machines by more than 95 percent in recent years. e Stage V regulation is set to reduce emissions even further by setting stricter limits, by introducing particu- late number limits, and by extending the scope of the regulation to additional power categories. "Overall, the new regula- tion sets an ambitious timeline. It will remain a challenge to re-design the hundreds of machinery types and applications in the timeframe given, but the machine manufacturing industries are committed and capable to make these necessary adjustments and contribute to improving air quality in Europe," said CECE secretary general Sigrid de Vries. Olivier Janin, secretary general of the European Materials Handling Federa- tion (FEM), which repre- sents crane makers, said: "We are extremely satisfi ed to see that the special needs of mobile cranes were taken into account. e extra time granted will enable manufac- turers to re-design their 170 diff erent models without hampering their competitive- ness and with a marginal environmental impact." Further to the Parlia- ment's fi nal vote in July's plenary sitting, the Council's adoption is expected to take place in the coming weeks. Publication of the regulation will follow shortly. Parallel to the adoption of the framework regulation, supplementary legislation in the form of delegated and implementing acts is being fi nalized as well. is supplementary legislation includes technical require- ments and administrative provisions and is expected to be adopted before the end of the year. ● www.WorldHighways.com, July, 2016 Cleaner Off -highway Machines for Europe