Reversibility of DPF filter elements

The chairman had drafted an additional requirement to prohibit the reversing of filter elements: “7.5.4. The filter element of a particulate reduction REC shall be designed and constructed in a way that in can only be installed in its canning in one direction. Intentionally or unintentionally reversing the element shall be physically impossible.”

It was pointed out that in the case of a modular device the wording could still permit reversal of the canned DPF assembly. It was also pointed out that the requirement should apply to combined (PM+NOx) RECs. It was agreed that the wording should be amended to:

“7.5.4. The filter element of a particulate reduction or combined PM and NOx reduction REC shall be designed and constructed in a way that in can only be installed in its canning in one direction. Intentionally or unintentionally reversing the element filter shall be physically impossible.”

Changes to paragraph 8.2.3.

At the previous meeting, Euromot drew attention to the addition during REC-14 of requirements for vehicles/equipment where there is no further stage (paragraph 8.2.3.), which would have added a percentage efficiency requirements (only) for such cases:

“8.2.3. In the case of an engine where no more stringent category is defined in Regulation No.49 or Regulation No.96 (as appropriate) the requirements of paragraph 8.3 shall be applied.”

Euromot had objected to this addition because the agreed basis of the Regulation had been only to take vehicles/equipment to the next applicable stage, whereas this proposal would take it beyond any current stage. In discussion, some participants had felt that the paragraph would be useful for those categories of NRMM where the most recent emissions stage(s) do not apply. Nevertheless, to enable agreement at GRPE it had been agreed to remove the paragraph but to re-discuss the issue at this REC meeting.

Although some participants continued to consider that there would be a benefit to allow fitment of DPFs in particular to machines/vehicles where the ‘final’ stage does not force the use of such devices, it was concluded that the retrofit requirements should not pre-empt future (OE) regulation stages and so the re-instatement of this paragraph could not be support. It was clarified that Contracting Parties and other organisations could still impose requirements for fitment of RECs where there is no further emissions stage, but it would not be possible to Type Approve these to the UN Regulation.