§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what regulations are in place to control vehicle emissions; and what measures there are to enforce them. [25933]
§ Mr. SpellarSeparate sets of regulations to control vehicle emissions exist for new vehicles and for vehicles after sale.
Statutory regulations specify the standard to which new model types must be constructed before vehicles can enter service. These regulations apply European directives which specify emissions limits and detailed test procedures. The relevant regulations are the Motor Vehicles (EC Type Approval) Regulations 1998, the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1984, the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval for Goods Vehicles) Regulations 1982, and the Motor Cycles Etc (EC Type Approval) Regulations 1999, as amended. These are enforced by the Vehicle Certification Agency.
The Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2001 apply similar standards to those of type approval mainly for small numbers of imported cars and light goods vehicles (new or used) that are not type-approved at the manufacturing stage and these are enforced by the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency (V.I.). Other vehicles not subject to type, or single vehicle, approval are regulated under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (C&U).
14WWhen in use vehicles must comply with emissions standards specified in the C&U Regulations. Compliance with C&U is assessed during a vehicle's annual roadworthiness inspection. In the case of heavy vehicles this is carried out by the V.I. and for passenger cars and light vans by privately operated (M.O.T) test centres under the supervision of the V.I. Roadside spot checks are also carried out by the V.I. and by local authorities.