COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM (89) 257 final - SYN 115 
Brussels,11 May 1989 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws 
of the Member States relating to measures to be taken 
against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles 
(European emission standards for cars below 1.4 liters) 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149.2 (d) 
of the EEC Treaty) 
- 2 -
Explanatory Memorandum 
i nt roduct i on 
1. In accordance with Directive 88/76/EEC, on 10 February 1988 
the Commission submitted a proposal (COM(87)706 final) to 
the Council amending Directive 70/220/EEC in order to 
establish the second stage of "European standards", for cars 
with an engine capacity of less than 1.4 litres. The 
implementation dates were October 1992 for new vehicle types 
and 1st October 1993 for all new vehicles entering into 
service. The proposed directive provided for optional 
harmon i zat ion. 
2. At its meeting of 24 November 1988, the Council reached a 
common position, largely following the original Commission 
proposa i. 
3. The second reading by the European Parliament on 12 April 
1989 concerned the common position of the Council. 
Substantial amendments, largely in line with Parliament's 
position on the first reading, were discussed and adopted by 
an overwhelming absolute majority. In addition, Parliament 
voted In favour of total harmonization. 
The Commission declared Itself ready to accept these 
amendments In substance and to go even further with respect 
to the dates of entry Into force of the second stage and to 
propose Immediately more severe "European standards" for a 
third stage, and to amend its proposal accordingly. 
The European Parliament did not only amend the directive 
proposal on small cars below 1.4 litres but also voted more 
stringent limit values, dates and also total harmonization 
for the medium and large sized cars covered by directive 
88/76/EEC. 
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The Commission declared itself ready to accept In substance 
these amendments as well and to present to the Council 
bef.ore the end of 1989 an additional proposal, amending this 
latter directive accordingly. 
This new proposal will be based on an improved European test 
procedure to which a high speed extra-urban driving sequence 
will be added as requested by the Council. 
Re-examined proposal 
5. The re-examined proposal on small cars below 1.4 litres 
contains the following elements by way of amendment to the 
common position of 24 November 1988 : 
a) The recognition that technology is available to allow 
further reduction in the limit values for all engine 
s i zes (fifth rec I ta I). 
b) The anticipated total harmonization of the limit values 
of the second stage proposed within the common position : 
- from 1.1.1991 for all models being type-approved and 
- from 1.10.1991 for ail new vehicles entering into 
serv ice 
not to exceed the following limit values : 
. for type approval 
30.0 g/test for CO 
8.0 g/test for HC • NOx 
. for control of conformity of production : 
36.0 g/test for CO 
10.0 g/test HC + NOx. 
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c) A third stage of more severe "European standards" (in 
line with the European Parliament's amendments) providing 
for total harmonization of the limit values : 
- from 1.1.1993 for all new models being type-approved 
and 
from 1.10.1993 for all new vehicles entering Into 
•"-".service- •-, --.-"------•- - - - -- -•- • 
not to exceed the following limit values : 
. for type approvaI 
19.0 g/test for CO 
5.0 g/test for HC + NOx 
.for control of conformity of production : 
22.0 g/test for CO 
5.8 g/test for HC + NOx. 
Just If i cat ion 
6. Article 100A S 3 obliges the Commission to take "as a basis 
a high level of protection" In making new proposals. For 
reasons of industrial constraints it Is not realistic to 
apply before 1.1.1993 for the whole Community production 
more severe "European standards" which are at least as 
severe as those In force in the United States at Federal 
level and as those voted by the European Parliament. 
Therefore an Intermediate second stage on the basis of the 
limit values laid down In the common position is proposed 
which should be Implemented at the earliest date possible. 
I.e. 1.1.1991, so as to largely benefit to the European 
environment. In conjunction with the total harmonization 
foreseen. 
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7. From a technical point of view these "European standards" 
can be fulfilled, for the time being, by the application of 
technology as used for vehicles being destined for the US 
market, i^. equipped with a three-way catalyst and closed 
loop control. However, Community directives do not Impose 
the application of specific technologies and therefore do 
not preclude the development of alternative technologies. 
8. The European automobile industry has proved that it has 
mastered the engine technology required to comply with the 
limit values under 5 above and is already providing a number 
of markets with vehicles equipped with this technology. in 
order to ensure early information and preparation of the 
automobile industry on future emission control requirements, 
it is important to lay down without further delay, proposals 
for the third stage. The early total harmonization of these 
new values for this third stage by 1.1.1993 will help 
industry to strengthen its competitive position in the 
European and international markets, in parallel with a high 
level of environmental protection. 
9. Like all Community directives In the field of motor vehicle 
emissions the latest adopted directive 88/76/EEC provides 
for optional harmonization. Op to now only some Member 
States have Incorporated into their laws these provisions 
for mandatory application at national level in line with the 
dates.set, thus depriving a large part of the population of 
the benefits of existing Commun 11y leg I s I at Ion, and leading 
to an extreme fragmentation of the EEC market In terms of 
emission requirements. 
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In the Interest of a more efficient protection of public 
health and of the environment as well as with a view to the 
regulatory unity of the internal market for motor vehicles, 
it is therefore necessary to provide for total harmonization 
and to require the same degree of protection as offered 
already to-day In some third countries. 
10.Indeed, the present situation where, under a system of 
optional harmonization, the successive Community 
requirements for the various categories of cars are 
duplicated In a number of Member States by national 
requirements which diverge in stringency and/or 
Implementation dates, not only Is detrimental to the overall 
environmental effect of the emission legislation, but also 
creates additional constraints for the Investment and 
production planning of the Industry and causes obvious 
diseconomies of scale. 
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Re-examined proposal for a 
- COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws 
of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against 
air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles 
(European emission standards for cars below 1.4 litres) 
T.u£ COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, and In particular Article 100A thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
in cooperation with the European Parliament'1), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social 
Comm i ttee2* , 
Whereas it is important to adopt measures with the aim of 
progressively establishing the internal market over a period 
expiring on 31 December 1992; whereas the internal market shai 
comprise an area without internal frontiers in which the free 
movement of goods, services and capital is ensured*. 
Whereas the first programme of action of the European 
Communities on the protection of the environment, approved by 
the Council on 22 November 1973, called for account to be take 
of the latest scientific advances In combating atmospheric 
pollution caused by gases emitted from motor vehicles and for 
Directives adopted previously to be amended accordingly; 
1) Opinion delivered on 12 April 1989 (not yet published 
in the Official Journal) 
2) Opinion delivered on 2 Ju..~ 1988 (O.J ) 
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Whereas the third programme of action provides for additional 
efforts to be made to reduce considerably the present level of 
f-Ttssicns of pollutants from motor vehicles; 
Whereas Directive 70/220/EEC1* lays down the limit values for 
carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon emissions from such 
engines; whereas these limit values were first reduced by 
D irect i ve 74/290/EEc2)and supplemented, in accordance wi th 
Directive 77/102/EEC3*, by limit values for emissions of 
nitrogen oxides; whereas the limit values for these three 
pollutants were successively reduced by Directives 78/665/EEC 
4>, 83/35l/EEC5> and 88/76/EEC6> and whereas limit values 
for particulate pollutant emissions from diesel engines were 
introduced by Directive 88/436/EEC7>. 
Whereas Directive 88/76/EEC has laid down for the vehicles 
with an engine capacity of less than 1.4 litres transitional 
limit values which reflected the current technical and 
economic conditions of European manufacturers in this section 
of the market; whereas that Directive stiputated that the 
European standards to be applied at the latest in 1992/93 
should be fIxed ; 
Whereas the work undertaken by the Commission on that subject 
has shown that the European Community has available, or is 
currently perfecting, technologies which allow a further 
reduction of the limit values for all engine sizes; 
1) OJ N- L 76, 6.4.1970, p. 1 
2) OJ No L 159, 15.6.1974, p. 61 
3) OJ N> L.32, 3.2;1977, p. 32 
4) OJ N* L 223, 14.8.1978. p. 48 
5) OJ Hm L 197. 20.7.1983, p. 1 
6) OJ N* L 36, 9.2.1988, p. 1 
7) OJ N* L 124, 6.8.1988, p. 1 
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Whereas in order to allow the largest benefit for the European 
environment and at the same time assure the unity of the market 
It appears necessary to Introduce at the earliest possible date 
a second stage of European standards based on total 
harmon1zat ion 
whereas because of industrial constraints it appears 
appropriate to use for this second stage the limit values 
wh ich should be 
implemented from 1. January 1991, whereas in order to establish 
a clear regulatory framework for the Industry It is necessary 
to decide at the same time more severe "European standards" 
being at least as severe as those of the United states of 
America and as those voted by Parliament as a third stage to be 
implemented from 1 January 1993; whereas these limit values 
will still be based on the test procedure presently laid down 
In Directive 70/220/EEC and would need to be reconsidered when 
this procedure will be completed by a test representing driving 
conditions outside built-up areas. 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE; 
Article 1 
Directive 70/220/FEC is hereby amended as follows : 
ANNEX I, item 5.2.1.1.4,the table is replaced by the following: 
1 
2 
3.1 
_ — . 
3.2 Engine 
capacity 
C 
(cm3) 
C > 2,000 
1.400<C<2,000 
L -•• 
- C < 1,400 -Mass of 
carbon 
monox i de 
L1 
(g/test) 
25 
30 
. . 
30 
- — _ 
19 Comb i ned 
. mass of hy­
drocarbons 
and nitro­
gen oxides 
L2 
(g/test) 
6.5 
8 
8 
- — — — — 
5 Mass of 
nitrogen 
oxides 
L3 
(g/test) 
3.5 
_ 
-
-
— —— — — 
-Mass of 
parti­
culates 
(1) 
L4 
(g/test) 
i .1 
(i)ln the case of vehicles equipped with compress ion-ignition 
engines" 
ANNEX I. item 7.1.1.1, the table is replaced by the following : 
,r 
1 
2 
3.1 
— -
3.2 EngIne 
capacity 
C 
(cm3) 
C > 2,000 
1,400<C<2,000 
C < 1.400 -Mass of 
carbon 
monox1de 
LI 
(g/test) 
30 
36 
36 
— — —"— -
22 Comb i ned 
mass of hy­
drocarbons 
and nitro­
gen oxides 
L2 
(g/test) 
8.1 
10 
10 
- — —- —— — 
5.8 Mass of 
nitrogen 
ox i des 
L3 
(g/test) 
4.4 
-
_ 
— — ~—• ~ • 
• —• Mass of 
parti­
culates 
(1) 
L4 
(g/test) 
1.4 
(1) In the case of vehicles equipped with compressio. ignition 
engines 
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Art icie 2 
1. From 1 January 1990 no Member State may, on grounds relating 
to air pollution by emissions from an engine having a 
capacity of less than 1.400 cm3: 
- refuse to grant EEC type approval, to Issue the document 
referred to in the last indent of article 10(1) of 
Council Directive 70/156/EEC1^ or to grant national 
type approval for a type of motor vehicle, 
prohibit the entry into service of motor vehicles, 
where emissions from this type of motor vehicle or from such 
vehicles meet the requirements of Directive 70/220/EEC as 
last amended by this Directive. 
2. In respect of types of vehicle equipped with an engine 
having a capacity of less than 1.400 cm3, Member States may 
no longer issue the document provided for in the last indent 
of Article 10(1) of Directive 70/156/EEC, and shall refuse 
national type approval, 
from 1 January 1991 where the emissions from such types 
of vehicles do not comply with the limit values set out 
in I I ne 3.1, 
from 1 January 1993 where the emission from such types of 
vehicles do not comply with the limit values set out in 
I I ne 3.2 
of the table of item 5.2.1.1.4 of Annex I to Directive 
70/220/EEC, as last amended by this Directive. 
1) As last amended by Directive 87/358/EEC, O.J. L 192 of 
11.07.87, p. 51. 
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3. in respect of vehicles equipped with an engine having a 
capacity of less than 1,400 cm3 Member States shall prohibit 
the entr^ fnto service 
- from 1 October 1991, where the emissions of such vehicles 
do not comply with the limit values set out in line 3.1; 
- from 1 October 1993, where the emissions of such vehicles 
do not comply with the limit values set out in line 3.2, 
of the table of item 7.1.1.1 of Annex I to Directive 
70/220/EEC as last amended by this Directive. 
ArtIcle 3 
Member States shall bring into force laws, regulations and 
administrative provisions necessary in order to comply with 
this Directive not later than 1 January 1990. They shall 
forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 
icle 4 
Not later than the end of 1990, the Council shall consider, on 
the basis of a proposal from the Commission, the Implementation 
of more severe European emission standards on the basis of an 
improved test procedure including an extra-urban driving 
sequence. 
Article S 
This Directive Is addressed to the Member States. 

Commission of the European Communities 
COM(89) 257 final 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the 
Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by 
emissions from motor vehicles 
(European emission standards for cars below 1.4 litres) 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(2Md) of the EEC 
Treaty) 
11.5.1989 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L - 2985 Luxembourg 
Series: DOCUMENTS 
1989 — 12 pp. — Format: 21.0 x 29.7 cm 
EN 
ISSN 0254-1475 
ISBN 92-77-49556-1 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-187-EN-C 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(89) 257 final 
DOCUMENTS 
Wtht&W&l 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of 
the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be 
taken against air pollution by emissions from motor 
vehicles 
(European emission standards for cars below 1.4 litres) 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(2)(d) 
of the EEC Treaty) 
06 15 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-187-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-49556-1 11.5.1989 
€ 
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES