# IMMC.EESC-2020-02619-AC.ENG.xhtml.EESC-2020-02619-00-00-AC-TRA-EN.docx

EN

INT/910

INT/910

Emissions and type-approval / Impact of COVID

Emissions and type-approval / Impact of COVID

OPINIONEuropean Economic and Social CommitteeProposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council
  amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 as regards its transitional provisions in order to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis
  [COM(2020) 233 final – 2020/0113 (COD)]

OPINIONEuropean Economic and Social CommitteeProposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council
  amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 as regards its transitional provisions in order to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis

[COM(2020) 233 final – 2020/0113 (COD)]

Rapporteur: Gerardo LARGHI

Rapporteur: Gerardo LARGHI

Consultation

| Consultation | Council of the European Union, 08/06/2020


  European Parliament, 17/06/2020 |
| --- | --- |
| Legal basis | Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union |
| Section responsible | Single Market, Production and Consumption |
| Bureau decision | 09/06/2020 |
| Adopted at plenary | 11/06/2020 |
| Plenary session No | 552 |
| Outcome of vote
  (for/against/abstentions) | 226/0/2 |

Consultation

Council of the European Union, 08/06/2020

Council of the European Union, 08/06/2020

European Parliament, 17/06/2020

European Parliament, 17/06/2020

Legal basis

Legal basis

Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

Section responsible

Section responsible

Single Market, Production and Consumption

Single Market, Production and Consumption

Bureau decision

Bureau decision

09/06/2020

09/06/2020

Adopted at plenary

Adopted at plenary

11/06/2020

11/06/2020

Plenary session No

Plenary session No

552

552

Outcome of vote
  (for/against/abstentions)

Outcome of vote
  (for/against/abstentions)

226/0/2

226/0/2

1.Conclusions and recommendations

1.

Conclusions and recommendations

1.1The EESC welcomes the proposal for a regulation, which it deems to be an appropriate and proportionate reaction to the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.

1.1

The EESC welcomes the proposal for a regulation, which it deems to be an appropriate and proportionate reaction to the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.

1.2The proposal fulfils the dual objective of ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market while providing for a high level of public safety and environmental protection.

1.2

The proposal fulfils the dual objective of ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market while providing for a high level of public safety and environmental protection.

2.Gist of the Commission proposal

2.1Regulation (EU) 2016/1628
  1
  sets out new emissions limits ("Stage V"), which are designed to reduce the emissions of air pollutants from engines for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), and provides some lead time to make this transition.

2.2The COVID-19 pandemic has been causing major disruption of the supply chain, with an impact on the ability of NRMM manufacturers to meet some of the deadlines imposed by the regulation.

2.3The proposal aims to postpone by twelve months the dates for producing and marketing NRMM and tractors fitted with transition engines, thereby helping manufacturers to face a disruption that could not have been foreseen.

3.General comments

3.1The EESC reiterates its belief that reducing harmful emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulates from engines intended for agricultural and forestry tractors is a vital step towards achieving the EU's air quality targets.

3.2In its opinion
  2
  on Regulation (EU) 2016/1628, the EESC recommended rapid approval of the new regulation in view of the strong public health concerns about nanoparticles resulting from combustion processes and the high level of protection that can be achieved by implementing the proposed Stage V for NRMM engines.

3.3The EESC is nevertheless well aware that the COVID-19 crisis has created extraordinary circumstances which have an impact on various areas. The crisis has caused complete interruptions in the supply of parts and components, leaving manufacturers with stocks of engines and unfinished products.

3.4As a consequence, many engine and machinery manufacturers will not be able to meet the deadlines set out by the regulation without suffering serious economic damage.

3.5In addition, the EESC is fully aware that the crisis was not, and could not have been, foreseen.

3.6The EESC therefore supports the extension of one year provided by the proposal, which in its view is a reasonable and proportionate measure aimed at guaranteeing the smooth functioning of the internal market as well as a high level of public safety and environmental protection.

Brussels, 11 June 2020

Luca Jahier

The president of the European Economic and Social Committee

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