This is a subscriber-only article
In June 2020, the Irish Farmers Journal reported that EU machinery manufacturers of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) sought clarity from the EU Commission. This was following an earlier request put forward for the postponement of stage V engine emission legislation due to the impact of COVID-19.
Confirmation was given in early July that a 12-month extension had been granted, becoming official EU law. Applicable from 1 July 2020, the law now extends the transition deadlines, previously 30 June and 31 December 2020 for the production and placement of NRMM onto the market fitted with transition engines under 75hp (56kW) or 175hp (130kW) and over.
Background
This backlog of transition engines, according to machinery manufactures was result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The worldwide supply of parts and components for many EU-based manufacturers was disrupted as a result of Government-imposed lockdowns and factory closures. This interruption and downturn within the industry left a backlog of transition engines that were not accounted for.
As the 30 June deadline approached for the switch over to the cleaner stage V engines, many manufacturers were concerned about the high quantity of transition engines still yet to be fitted to machines. Further to this, machines fitted with transition engines had to be placed on the market no later than 31 December 2020.
Effectively, these transition engines would have had to have been scrapped
If postponement had not have been granted to manufacturers, it is believed considerable economic damage and waste of materials and resources would have been result as these transition engines are already built and stocked since as far back 2018. Effectively, these transition engines would have had to have been scrapped. However, with the extension granted this is now not the case.
It should be noted that NRMM and tractors fitted with transition engines between 56kW and 130kW are not affected by this extension and retain the applicable 2021 deadlines.
SHARING OPTIONS: