The Council of Ministers has published a new EU Regulation defining in its Annex 1 the Euro 5 and Euro 6 limits for pollutant emissions from cars and light commercial vehicles. Euro 5

limits for fine particles, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NOx) will be in force from September 2009, with tighter Euro 6 standards for NOx applying from September 2014. The tex of the Regulation, based on agreement reached between the European Parliament and national governments in December 2006, will come into force after formal approval by EU governments.

Given the importance of onboard diagnostics (OBD) systems in maintaining emissions performance, the Regulation follows the current automotive block exemption regulation in saying that it is appropriate to lay down technical specifications that manufacturers' websites should follow, along with targeted measures to ensure reasonable access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Regulation initially requires the use of the technical specifications of the OASIS format but the European Commission is asked to request CEN/ISO to further develop this format into a standard with a view to replacing the OASIS format in due course.

Not later than four years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should review the operation of the system of access to all vehicle repair and maintenance information with a view to determining whether it would be appropriate to consolidate all provisions governing access to vehicle repair and maintenance information within a revised framework Directive on type approval.

To facilitate the introduction and to maintain the existence of alternative fuel vehicles and at the same time to encourage reduced emissions from petrol vehicles, the Regulation

introduces separate limit values for total hydrocarbons and total non-methane hydrocarbons.

The Council of Ministers and Parliament agree that the Commission should introduce at the latest to coincide with the entry into force of the Euro 6 stage, a number-based approach to emissions of PM in addition to the mass-based approach currently used. The number-based approach should draw on the results of the UN/ECE's Particulate Measurement Programme (PMP)

The Regulation also requires the Commission to keep under review the need to revise the New European Drive Cycle as the test procedure that provides the basis of EC type approval emissions regulations, to ensure that real world emissions correspond to those measured at type approval.