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For obtaining type approval in the European Union, light-duty vehicles have to comply with emission limits during standardized laboratory emissions testing. Although emission limits have become more stringent in past decades, light-duty vehicles remain an important source of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide emissions in Europe. Furthermore, persisting air quality problems in many urban areas suggest that laboratory emissions testing may not accurately capture the on-road emissions of light-duty vehicles. To address this issue, we conduct the first comprehensive on-road emissions test of light-duty vehicles with state-of-the-art Portable Emission Measurement Systems. We find that nitrogen oxides emissions of gasoline vehicles as well as carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbon emissions of both diesel and gasoline vehicles generally remain below the respective emission limits. By contrast, nitrogen oxides emissions of diesel vehicles (0.93 ± 0.39 grams per kilometer [g/km]), including modern Euro 5 diesel vehicles (0.62 ± 0.19 g/km), exceed emission limits by 320 ± 90%. On-road carbon dioxide emissions surpass laboratory emission levels by 21 ± 9%, suggesting that the current laboratory emissions testing fails to accurately capture the on-road emissions of light-duty vehicles. Our findings provide the empirical foundation for the European Commission to establish a complementary emissions test procedure for light-duty vehicles. This procedure could be implemented together with more stringent Euro 6 emission limits in 2014. The envisaged measures should improve urban air quality and provide incentive for innovation in the automotive industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents news items related to environmental policies in the United States and Europe as of January 1, 2002. Debate of European lawmakers on the ban of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants; Amendment of the hard rock mining riles by the administration of President George W. Bush; Proposal of the European Commission for a carbon dioxide emissions trading scheme.

Reports on the European Commission's extension of its 'emergency' ban on several phthalate softeners used in children's toys to December 5, 2000. Migration tests confirming leaching of phthalate from polyvinyl toys into saliva; Proposal to permanently ban phthalates in toys for children under three years old.

Focuses on a directive agreed upon by the European Parliament and the European Union's (EU) Council of Ministers, aiming to unify surface and groundwater protection across the EU. Key provisions of the directive; Requirements set for EU member countries by 2015.