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Information Note
Introduction
As a member of the European Union, Ireland is obliged to introduce Directive 2005/55/EC (and
its amendments 1) and EC Regulation 595/2009 (as amended 2) referred to as the heavy duty
Euro emissions regulations. The heavy duty emission regulations apply to new passenger and
goods vehicles of categories of M and N with a reference mass 3 in excess of 2,610kg. These
regulations lay down limit values for emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants and for the
opacity of exhaust fumes from diesel, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engines.
Euro IV heavy duty emissions regulations have applied to new vehicles registered in the State
since 1/10/2006 and were replaced by Euro V regulations which have applied to new vehicles
registered since 1/10/2009. The major difference between the Euro IV and Euro V is the
reduction in the emission limits for nitrogen oxides from 3.5 to 2.0 g/kWh.
The Euro VI heavy duty emission Regulation sets tougher emission limits than Euro V and
lowers limits of several pollutants (CO, THC, NMHC, CH4, NOX, NH3), adopts the worldwide
harmonised drive cycles, revises the durability requirements to cover greater distances and
include measures relating to access to vehicle repair and maintenance information.
by EC Regulation 582/2011
Reference mass means the mass of the vehicle in running order less the uniform mass of the driver of 75kg and
increased by a uniform mass of 100kg (refer to Certificate of Conformity point 12.1)
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Vehicles equipped with Euro V engines must be registered by 30th December 2013 and vehicles
registered after this date must be Euro VI compliant. In certain conditions, an end of series
exemption can be applied for, which if granted, will allow vehicles an extended period of time
for registration. Further information on the criteria for applying for an end of series exemption
and details as to how you should apply, can be found on our end of series webpage. More
detailed implementation dates for each vehicle category are summarised at the end of this
document.
To set harmonised rules on the construction of motor vehicles. The proper functioning
of the single market in the European Union requires common standards limiting the
emission of atmospheric pollutants from motor vehicles. Action at Community level
prevents varying product standards emerging across Member States which results in
fragmentation of the internal market and imposition of unnecessary barriers to intraCommunity trade. Also through harmonised standards it is possible to reap the
economies of scale as production series can be made for the whole European market.
To improve air quality by reducing pollutants emitted from the road transport sector by
setting the emission limit values for all vehicle categories with a reference mass in
excess of 2,610kg 4. Member States and their citizens are concerned about the impacts
of air pollution on human health and the environment. Although air quality has
improved over the past decade, there are still significant air quality problems
throughout the European Union, especially in urban areas and in densely populated
regions.
Reference mass means the mass of the vehicle in running order less the uniform mass of the driver of 75kg and
increased by a uniform mass of 100kg (refer to Certificate of Conformity point 12.1)
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Background
The Regulations were originally introduced by the Directive 88/77/EEC and have since been
subjected to a number of amendments. Given developments in automotive technology,
increased demand for road transport and continuing air quality problems, there has been a
need to keep standards under review. In 2005, the Directives were re-cast and consolidated by
the Directive 2005/55/EC. In 2009, in order to simplify legislation, EC Regulation 595/2009 was
introduced repealing and replacing EC Directives 2005/55/EC and 2005/78/EC. The use of an EC
Regulation ensures that the technical provisions are directly applicable to manufacturers,
approval authorities and technical services and they can be updated in a fast and efficient way.
Directive 2005/55/EC introduced durability and On Board Diagnostic (OBD) requirements and
set the emission limits for Euro IV and Euro V. In a split-level regulatory approach, the
technical requirements pertaining to durability and OBD, including provisions for emission
systems that use consumable reagents, have been prescribed in Directive 2005/78/EC.
Regulation 595/2009 as amended by Regulation 582/2011 introduced the new Euro VI heavy
duty emission limits, the measuring of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the establishment of
numerical limits on particulate emissions, worldwide harmonised drive cycles, revised the
durability requirements, access to vehicle repair and maintenance information and
incorporates all of the requirements on engine power from EC Directive 80/1269/EEC as
amended by 1999/99/EC.
The technical requirements of these regulatory acts took effect in three stages, Euro IV
emission limits came into effect for new type approvals from 1st October 2005 (and new
registrations from 1st October 2006), Euro V emission limits applied from 1st October 2008 for
new type approvals (and new registrations from 1st October 2009) and Euro VI emissions for
new type approvals will apply from 31st December 2012 (and new registrations from 31st
December 2013).
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December 2013
CO2 Emissions
Carbon dioxide (CO2) must be calculated during the emissions tests however no limits on CO2
emissions are specified.
Access to Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Information
Requirements are introduced to ensure that vehicle manufacturers make information related to
their on-board diagnostic systems readily available to independent vehicle repairers. These
new requirements are based on those already included in the light duty vehicle Euro5/6
emissions Regulation, (EC) 715/2007.
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December 2013
registration. Details of the end of series exemption procedure and application forms can be
found on our end of series web page.
Euro IV
Euro V
Euro VI
1/10/2008
1/10/2009
31/12/2012
31/12/2013
How to establish whether your vehicle has heavy or light duty emissions
certification
The light duty or heavy duty emissions type approval number can be found on the EC CoC of an
M1, N1, M2 or M3 vehicle under entry Exhaust emissions. For other vehicle types (such as N2
or N3), the number should be printed on official manufacturer documentation (such as
Certificate of Conformity from SI 448 of 2007). The tables below have been created to help
interrogate emissions type approval numbers in order to establish emissions level compliance.
The emissions type approval number will specify the base directive which the approval has
been issued under, its amendment and a code which signifies the emissions level. These can be
interpreted in order to establish whether the vehicle has heavy or light duty emissions
certification and the level of the certification achieved. Light duty emissions certification are
often given Arabic numerical such as Euro 4 or Euro 5 while the roman numerals are used when
referencing heavy duty emissions.
Heavy duty guidance table
The number will specify the base directive 2005/55/EC, followed by an amending directive
(such as 2005/78/EC or 2006/51 or 2008/74) and will be followed by a character (letter).
Alternatively the approval may be to (UN)ECE Regulation 49. This (UN)ECE number will also be
followed by a character. The character (letter) contained in the emissions approval number for
either EC or (UN)ECE will indicate Euro compliance as set out below:
7
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The table below shows the heavy duty certification and includes the various mandatory dates of
registration for various vehicle types:
Base Directive /
Regulation
Followed by a
Character
2005/55/EC
Euro Emissions
IV
1/10/2006
1/10/2009
VI
31/12/2013
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
595/2009
Comment
e11*2005/55*2005/78B*0003*00
B signifies Euro IV
e1*2005/55*2006/51F*0004*02
F signifies Euro V
ECE 49.04 B
B signifies Euro IV
E signifies Euro V
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(Followed
Euro
by) Character Emissions
70/220/EEC*
715/2007
A
B
5a
C
D
E
F
G
5b
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
6a
6b
*Note that approvals to (UN)ECE Regulation 83.05 Row B (or stage 2) are equivalent Euro 4 emissions
levels.
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e2*70/220/EEC*2003/76/EC (B)
70/220*2006/96B
e4*715/2007*692/2008A*0001*00
e1*715/2007*595/2009C*0004*02
(UN)ECE83.05 B
10
December 2013