Press Release: Non-road mobile machinery: European Commission welcomes adoption of new emissions limits that will curb formation of ground level ozone

The European Commission welcomed on 29 October 2001 the EU Council of Environment Ministers political agreement on measures to limit the emissions of air pollutants from small machinery equipped with petrol engines. The types of engines covered are those used in, for instance, lawn movers, chain saws, bush cutters, trimmers and snow removal equipment. World-wide, 25 million engines are produced every year and they contribute 10-15 percent of the overall emissions load of volatile organic compounds. Consequently, they contribute to the formation of ground level ozone. Ground level ozone affects the respiratory system and is particularly problematic for people with asthma and it has been detected as one of the key remaining air quality problems facing the EU in the so called “Auto-Oil 2 programme.”