Please see our Stage V FAQs further down this page.
Please note that due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, Regulation (EU) 2020/1040 was issued extending the June 2020 and December 2020 deadlines for <56kW and >130kW by 12 months. The same June 2021 and December 2021 deadlines now apply for introducing new machines across all kW ratings of Stage V engines.
Due to local air quality controls, some areas e.g. Central London may not allow you to use NRMM equipment if it does not have a Stage V type-approved engine fitted. There could be higher levels of exhaust emissions from a Stage IIIA engine machine [than the equivalent Stage V]. However, it is worth remembering that numerous small engines <19kW, (which were not covered by the original Emissions Directive 97/68/EC), have passed the Stage V type approval tests without any design modifications.
It should also be noted that Stage IIIA powered machines will become desirable due to their price and no new production, and therefore availability cannot be guaranteed. Despite this, spare parts for the Stage IIIa machines will be ongoing as these products have been widely available and are used in all sorts of NRMM.
Generally, Stage V engines cost more to manufacture as additional features have been designed in to increase emission controls. The bigger the engine, the greater the level of redesign required. As many Stage V engines are physically more voluminous [than Stage IIIA predecessors], the NRMM that they are being installed into also must increase in size. Therefore, one increase in component cost generates numerous further increases in design and component costs. Stage V machines use a range of methods to achieve compliance. For smaller machines, it can be as simple as using a larger yet derated engine and for larger machines, the addition of Exhaust Gas treatment and Exhaust particulate filter systems coupled with enhanced control systems have been a favoured approach. Both these large and small methods increase costs.
Stage V (Regulation 2016/1628) is an emissions standard for Non-Road Mobile Machinery with spark / compression ignition engines. Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) includes equipment such as generators, lighting towers, pumps etc.
Introduced by the EU, Stage V aims to reduce emitted particulate matter, among other substances. The green initiative is looking to reduce harmful substances in the same way road vehicles do e.g. via particulate filters.
The changes will limit particulate matter produced by engines, reducing air pollution. This is important for the environment and our health
Engine driven NRMM. Machines for construction, agriculture, materials handling, and industrial use will have to comply.
The new standards came into force January 2019 for engines below 56kW and above 130kW. The standards will take effect a year later on January 1st 2020 for engines in the 56-129kW range.
So long as the engines and NRMM were placed on the market per the regulation dates detailed above (for engine manufacturers and OEM’s), there are no restrictions for on-sellers in the distribution chain.
Buyers (e.g. rental companies/end users)
Rental companies currently don’t have to worry about Stage V compliance – it’s the engine manufacturers and OEMs who bear the responsibility. Rental companies and end users can continue to purchase pre-stage V engine-driven equipment, so long as placed-on-market stocks last. This may change in the future if there are changes to existing legislation.
*‘Placed on the market’ definition: “the first making available on the [European] Union market of an engine or non-road mobile machinery” by either a manufacturer or an importer. An individual product must be physically available within the EU for distribution or use, AND at least offered for sale.