European nonroad machinery manufacturers call for moratorium on emission standards
25 March 2020
The European industry associations representing the non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) sector have called on the EU to adopt an imminent moratorium on NRMM exhaust emission regulations in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem involves Stage IV “transition” engines that the industry has already procured. Due to the current disruption of the global supply chain, the industry will not be able to produce the machinery with those transitional engines and to place it on the market before the Stage V regulatory deadlines.
In a joint letter sent today to the European Commission, CECE, CEMA, EGMF, EUnited Municipal Equipment & Cleaning, Europgen and FEM have asked for a moratorium on the application of 2020 and 2021 deadlines listed in Regulation 2016/1628/EU on exhaust emissions from NRMM and 2018/985/EU for agricultural vehicles.
According to the Regulation, 2020 is the transition phase for Stage V engines in power ranges <56 kW and ≥130 kW and 2021 will be the transition phase for power ranges from 56 kW to 130 kW. Complying with the Regulation’s deadlines, manufacturing and procurement of transition engines have been completed—said the cosignatories of the letter. Machine manufacturers have now until 30 June 2020 to produce the <56 kW and ≥130 kW machines fitted with these transition engines, and then until 31 December 2020 to place these machines on the EU market. Identical deadlines apply in 2021 for machines in power ranges from 56 kW to 130 kW.
The cosignatories pointed out that the COVID-19 outbreak is causing “complete interruptions of supply of parts and components”. They said this was the case from China for several weeks and is now starting for other components from Italy and other member states. Moreover, as the pandemic is progressing, further interruptions—including those due to government-imposed lockdowns—are planned or expected in Europe and in the United States.
Without essential parts such as tires, axles, hydraulics, lighting and electronic equipment, manufacturers are effectively prevented from completing the construction of the machines by the imposed deadlines.
As a result, they will not be able to place the machines on the market with the transition engines they had already acquired. Since it will be no longer possible to use them, these engines will have to be scrapped, which will lead to avoidable economic damage and an unnecessary waste of raw materials and resources.
“The situation is critical. A temporary moratorium must be granted, with deadlines postponed until the situation can be reassessed,” said CECE secretary general Riccardo Viaggi. “Neutral from an environmental point of view, the measure would prevent further economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to our manufacturing industries and the jobs that depend on them.”
Source: Agg-Net.com