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Press Release

Partial Amendment to the Permissible Limits of Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emissions

June 28, 2005

The Ministry of the Environment shall introduce the enhancing control over exhaust gas from diesel-powered special motor vehicles and new exhaust gas control over gasoline-fueled special motor vehicles. This amendment shall be notified as of June 28, 2005 after amending the "Permissible Limits of Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emissions" complying with the Air Pollution Control Law. By the amendment, motor vehicle exhaust emission from the diesel-powered special motor vehicles can be reduced by 25%~43% for NOx and 15%~50% for PM compared to the current regulation.

In metropolitan areas, air pollution caused by nitrogen dioxide (NO2), suspended particulate matters (SPM) still poses grave issue. As for diesel-powered special motor vehicles, exhaust gas control has been implemented since October 2003. With substantial enhancement of regulation for diesel- powered and gasoline-/LNG-fueled motor vehicles to be implemented from October 2005, contribution of exhaust emissions from special vehicles to air pollution is getting to be relatively high and should not be neglected. Therefore, the Central Environment Council recommended that it is essential to enhance measures for reducing exhaust gas from special vehicles in its report "Future Policy for Motor Vehicle Exhaust Emission Reduction, Sixth Report" made in June 2003.

<Summary of the Amendment>

(1)New vehicles (Annex 1)
As for large-scale special vehicles powered by light oil, exhaust gas control on hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and black smoke shall be reinforced through the enhancement of permissible limit (upper limit regulation: upper limit for amount of exhaust gas emitted from one new vehicle)

As for large scale special vehicles powered by gasoline/LNG, a new permissible limit shall be set to start up exhaust gas control on carbon monoxide (CO), HC and NOx.

(2) Type (Annex 1-2)
As for special vehicles powered by light oil, exhaust gas control on HC, NOx, PM and black smoke shall be reinforced through the enhancement of permissible limit (average value regulation: average value of all vehicles of the same type which shall be applied to each type)

As for special vehicles powered by gasoline/LNG, a new permissible limit shall be set to start up exhaust gas control on carbon monoxide (CO), HC, and NOx.

(3) In-use vehicles (Annex 2)
As for special vehicles powered by gasoline/LNG, new permissible limits for emission of CO and HC during idling shall be set.

As for special vehicles powered by light oil, permissible limit for emission of black smoke during non-load rapid acceleration shall be reinforced.

<Upcoming schedule>

Complying with the amendment to the permissible limits of motor vehicle exhaust emissions, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is scheduled to amend the "Notification for Particulars of Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles". Based on this, following control shall be implemented.
» Control for diesel-powered special motor vehicles
  - Vehicles subject to 2006 regulation are those with rated output of more than 130 kW and less than 560kW.
  - Vehicles subject to 2007 regulation are those with rated output of more than 19 kW and less than 37 kW, and more than 75 kW and less than 130 kW.
  - Vehicles subject to 2008 regulation are those with rated output of more than 19 kW and less than 560 kW.
» Control for gasoline-fueled special motor vehicles
- Vehicles subject to 2007 regulation are those with rated output of more than 19 kW and less than 560 kW.

Pursuant to Paragraph 3, Article 19 of the Air Pollution Control Law, permissible limits of exhaust emissions from specified special motor vehicles will be established. With the permissible limits to be set, the government is to also set up technical standards required in compliance with the Law for Nonroad Special Motor Vehicles Exhaust Regulation.

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