Commission Directive 2003/27/EC of 3 April 2003 on adapting to technical progress Council Directive 96/96/EC as regards the testing of exhaust emissions from motor vehicles (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2003-04-03
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: combustion gases, motor vehicle, roadworthiness tests, technological change, transport regulations

8.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 90/41

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2003/27/EC

of 3 April 2003

on adapting to technical progress Council Directive 96/96/EC as regards the testing of exhaust
emissions from motor vehicles

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(4)

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accor-
dance with the opinion of the committee for the adapta-
tion to technical progress of
the Directive on road-
worthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers
instituted by Article 8 of Directive 96/96/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Annex II to Directive 96/96/EC is amended as set out in the
Annex to this Directive.

Article 2

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this
Directive by 1 January 2004 at the latest. They shall forthwith
inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a refer-
ence on the occasion of their official publication. Member
States shall determine how such reference is to be made.

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
texts of the provisions of national law that they adopt in the
field governed by this Directive.

Article 3

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following
that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Article 4

Done at Brussels, 3 April 2003.

For the Commission

Loyola DE PALACIO

Vice-President

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 96/96/EC of 20 December
1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their
trailers (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 2001/11/
EC (2), and in particular Article 7(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The Auto-Oil programmes, which were initiated in 1992
to provide the analytical foundation for the setting of
vehicle emission and fuel quality standards for the year
2000 and beyond, in order to achieve air quality objec-
tives with a particular focus on reducing road transport
emissions, identified the standard of motor vehicle main-
tenance as a key factor in the effect of traffic on air
quality.

Directive 96/96/EC specifies the tests to be carried out at
periodic inspections to check that emissions from both
petrol and diesel driven vehicles are still within accep-
table limits.

A working group of experts from the International
Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA), and from
relevant organisations was established by the
other
Commission and met during year 2000. The group
examined the options for amending the limits for the
emission tests prescribed in Directive 96/96/EC and in
Directive 2000/30/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 6 June 2000 on the technical roadside
inspection of the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles
circulating in the Community (3) to determine whether
improved environmental benefits could be realised. The
Group concluded that the currently prescribed limits are
invariably well above what the vehicle is capable of
achieving in practice, provided that it is properly main-
tained: the current limits are therefore not as effective as
they could be in facilitating the detection of gross emit-
i.e. vehicles whose exhaust emissions are at least
ters,
50 % more than would be expected from a properly
maintained vehicle.

(1) OJ L 46, 17.2.1997, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 48, 17.2.2001, p. 20.
(3) OJ L 203, 10.8.2000, p. 1.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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ANNEX

The fourth indent to point 7.10 of Annex II to Directive 96/96/EC is replaced by the following:

‘— check wherever practical that the speed limitation device prevents vehicles mentioned in Article 2 and Article 3

of Directive 92/6/EEC from exceeding the prescribed values.’

Point 8.2 of Annex II to Directive 96/96/EC is replaced by the following:

‘8.2.

Exhaust emissions

8.2.1. Motor vehicles equipped with positive-ignition engines and fuelled by petrol

(a) Where the exhaust emissions are not controlled by an advanced emission control system such as a

three-way catalytic converter that is lambda-probe controlled:

1. Visual inspection of the exhaust system in order to check that it is complete and in a satisfactory

condition and that there are no leaks.

2. Visual inspection of any emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer in order to check

that it is complete and in a satisfactory condition and that there are no leaks.

After a reasonable period of engine conditioning (taking account of manufacturer's recommenda-
tions) the carbon monoxide (CO) content of the exhaust gases is measured when the engine is idling
(no load).

The maximum permissible CO content in the exhaust gases is that stated by the vehicle manufac-
turer. Where this information is not available or where the Member States' competent authorities
decide not to use it as a reference value, the CO content must not exceed the following:

(i) for vehicles registered or put into service for the first time between the date from which Member
States required the vehicles to comply with Directive 70/220/EEC (*) and 1 October 1986: CO —
4,5 % vol.

(ii) For vehicles registered or put into service for the first time after 1 October 1986 — 3,5 % vol.

(b) Where the exhaust emissions are controlled by an advanced emission control system such as a three-

way catalytic converter that is lambda-probe controlled:

1. Visual inspection of the exhaust system in order to check that it is complete and in a satisfactory

condition and that there are no leaks.

2. Visual inspection of any emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer in order to check

that it is complete and in a satisfactory condition and that there are no leaks.

3. Determination of the efficiency of the vehicle's emission control system by measuring the lambda
value and the CO content of the exhaust gases in accordance with section 4 or with the procedures
proposed by the manufacturers and approved at the time of type-approval. For each of the tests the
engine is conditioned in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

4. Exhaust pipe emissions — limit values

The maximum permissible CO content in the exhaust gases is that stated by the vehicle manufac-
turer. Where this information is not available the CO content must not exceed the following:

(i) Measurement at engine idling speed:

The maximum permissible CO content in the exhaust gases must not exceed 0,5 % vol. and for
vehicles that have been type-approved according to the limit values shown in row A or row B of
the table in section 5.3.1.4. of Annex I to Directive 70/220/EEC, as amended by Directive 98/
69/EC (**) or later amendments the maximum CO content must not exceed 0,3 % vol. Where
identification to Directive 70/220/EEC, as amended by Directive 98/69/EC is not possible then
the above shall apply to vehicles registered or first put into service after 1 July 2002.

(ii) Measurement at high idle speed (no load), engine speed to be at least 2 000 min-1:

CO content: maximum 0,3 % vol. and for vehicles that have been type-approved according to
the limit values shown in row A or row B of the table in section 5.3.1.4. of Annex I to Directive
70/220/EEC, as amended by Directive 98/69/EC or later amendments the maximum CO content
must not exceed 0,2 % vol. Where identification to Directive 70/220/EEC, as amended by Direc-
tive 98/69/EC is not possible then the above shall apply to vehicles registered or first put into
service after 1 July 2002.

Lambda: 1± 0,03 or in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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(iii) For motor vehicles equipped with on-board diagnostic systems (OBD) in accordance with Direc-
tive 70/220/EEC (as amended by Directive 98/69/EC and subsequent amendments) Member
States may as an alternative to the test specified in item (i) establish the correct functioning of
the emission system through the appropriate reading of the OBD device and the simultaneous
checking of the proper functioning of the OBD system.

8.2.2. Motor vehicles equipped with compression-ignition (diesel) engines

(a) Exhaust gas opacity to be measured during free acceleration (no load from idle up to cut-off speed) with

gear lever in neutral and clutch engaged.

(b) Vehicle preconditioning:

1. Vehicles may be tested without preconditioning although for safety reasons checks should be made

that the engine is warm and in a satisfactory mechanical condition.

2. Except as specified in subparagraph (d)(5), no vehicle will be failed unless it has been preconditioned

according to the following requirements:

(i) Engine shall be fully warm, for instance the engine oil temperature measured by a probe in the
oil level dipstick tube to be at least 80 °C, or normal operating temperature if lower, or the
engine block temperature measured by the level of infrared radiation to be at least an equivalent
temperature. If, owing to vehicle configuration, this measurement is impractical, the establish-
ment of the engine's normal operating temperature may be made by other means, for example
by the operation of the engine cooling fan.

(ii) Exhaust system shall be purged by at least three free acceleration cycles or by an equivalent

method.

(c) Test procedure:

1. Visual inspection of any emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer in order to check

that it is complete and in a satisfactory condition and that there are no leaks.

2. Engine and any turbocharger fitted, to be at idle before the start of each free acceleration cycle. For

heavy-duty diesels, this means waiting for at least 10 seconds after the release of the throttle.

3. To initiate each free acceleration cycle, the throttle pedal must be fully depressed quickly and
continuously (in less than one second) but not violently, so as to obtain maximum delivery from the
injection pump.

4. During each free acceleration cycle, the engine shall reach cut-off speed or, for vehicles with auto-
matic transmissions, the speed specified by the manufacturer or if this data is not available then two
thirds of the cut-off speed, before the throttle is released. This could be checked, for instance, by
monitoring engine speed or by allowing a sufficient time to elapse between initial throttle depression
and release, which in the case of vehicles of category 1 and 2 of Annex 1, should be at least two
seconds.

(d) Limit values:

1. The level of concentration must not exceed the level recorded on the plate pursuant to Directive 72/

306/EEC (***).

2. Where this information is not available or where Member States' competent authorities decide not to
use it as a reference, the level of concentration must not exceed the level stated by the manufacturer
or the limit values of the coefficient of absorption that are as follows:

Maximum coefficient of absorption for:

— naturally aspirated diesel engines = 2,5 m-1

— turbo-charged diesel engines = 3,0 m-1

— a limit of 1,5 m-1 shall apply to the following vehicles that have been type-approved according

to the limit values shown in:

(a) row B of the table in section 5.3.1.4 of Annex I to Directive 70/220/EEC, as amended by

Directive 98/69/EC — (Light Duty Vehicle Diesel — Euro4);

(b) row B1 of the tables in section 6.2.1 of Annex I to Directive 88/77/EEC, as amended by

Directive 1999/96/EC (****) — (Heavy Duty Vehicle Diesel — Euro4);

(c) row B2 of the tables in section 6.2.1 of Annex I to Directive 88/77/EEC, as amended by

Directive 1999/96/EC — (Heavy Duty Vehicle Diesel — Euro5);

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(d) row C of the tables in section 6.2.1 of Annex I to Directive 88/77/EEC, as amended by Direc-

tive 1999/96/EC — (Heavy Duty Vehicle — EEV)
or limit values in later amendments of Directive 70/220/EEC as amended by Directive 98/69/
EC, or limit values in later amendments of Directive 88/77/EEC as amended by Directive
1999/96/EC, or equivalent values where use is made of equipment of a type different from
that used for EC type-approval.
Where identification to section 5.3.1.4 of Annex I to Directive 70/220/EEC, as amended by
Directive 98/69/EC or to section 6.2.1 of Annex I to Directive 88/77/EEC, as amended by
Directive 1999/96/EC is not possible then the above shall apply to vehicles registered or first
put into service after 1 July 2008.

3. Vehicles registered or put into service for the first time before 1 January 1980 are exempted from

these requirements.

4. Vehicles shall only be failed if the arithmetic means of at least the last three free acceleration cycles
are in excess of the limit value. This may be calculated by ignoring any measurement that departs
significantly from the measured mean, or the result of any other statistical calculation that takes
account of the scattering of the measurements. Member States may limit the number of test cycles.
5. To avoid unnecessary testing, Member States may, by way of exception from the provisions of para-
graph 8.2.2(d)(4), fail vehicles which have measured values significantly in excess of the limit values
after less than three free acceleration cycles or after the purging cycles (or equivalent) specified in
subparagraph 8.2.2(b)2(ii). Equally to avoid unnecessary testing, Member States may, by way of
exception from the provisions of 8.2.2(d)(4) pass vehicles which have measured values significantly
below the limits after less than three free acceleration cycles or after the purging cycles (or equivalent)
specified in subparagraph 8.2.2(b)2(ii).

8.2.3. Test equipment

Vehicle emissions are tested using equipment designed to establish accurately whether the limit values
prescribed or indicated by the manufacturer have been complied with.

8.2.4. Where, during EC type-approval, a type of vehicle is found not to have satisfied the limit values laid down
by this directive, the Member States may lay down higher limit values for that type of vehicle on the basis
of proof supplied by the manufacturer. They must forthwith inform the Commission thereof and it in turn
must inform the other Member States.

(*) OJ L 76, 9.3.1970, p. 1.
(**) OJ L 350, 28.12.1998, p. 1.
(***) OJ L 190, 20.8.1972, p. 1.
(****) OJ L 44, 16.2.2000, p. 1.’