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Invitation to a Press Conference:Commissions Joint Research Centre efforts to reduce air pollution from traffic - 10 December 2003, Milano Italy

December 08, 2003

Who?        The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) DG, in collaboration with the Lombardy Region of Italy, with the support of DG ENV, DG ENTR and of the Italian EU presidency

What?        Press conference on the official agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) amongst Reference Laboratories from EU (JRC), USA (EPA), Japan (NTSL) and China (SEPA) in support to the definition of future International vehicle emission Regulations

When?        10 December 2003, at 11.30

Where?        International Conference on EURO V and Future International Emission Requirements for Passenger Cars and Light-Duty Vehicles, at the 'Leonardo da Vinci' National Museum of Science and Technology, Milan
Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia - Via S. Vittore 21 - 20123 Milano - Italy
Tel. +3902485551 - Fax +390248010016 - E-mail: museo@museoscienza.org

Air pollution from transport is recognised as an international problem with highest priority. The European Commission is playing a significant role in tackling this problem by preparing Directives to establish exhaust limits for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles (EURO V) and for heavy-duty vehicles (EURO VI). Its Clean Air For Europe (CAFE) programme is the framework for air quality future legislation and related policy initiatives.

CAFE has already identified high levels of air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM) and ozone, as the major transport-related problems that need to be addressed. Other toxic components resulting from vehicle exhaust fumes may be included in future European legislation (EURO V). Such a large effort now requires a strong collaboration with all the most important countries outside EU, like USA, Japan and China, and an efficient co-ordination on future international environmental policy.

The Milan conference is the first international conference on such important issue, organised by the European Commission together with Regione Lombardia as a side event of COP9. The Conference brings together regulatory bodies, industrial stakeholders and scientists from all over the world to discuss the needs and opportunities involved in harmonising emission measurement systems and emission standards, and the effects of emissions on human health. It offers a platform for all stakeholders to exchange views on implications for research and development (R&D) of new legislation in areas such as: new emission measurement and testing systems; new fuels, engines and after-treatment technologies; emissions and air quality; health effects. The Milan event also encourages networking among EU decision-makers, interest groups, national and regional authorities and the press.

During the press conference a Memorandum of Understanding between the JRC, the US Environmental Protection Agency's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (EPA/NVFEL), Japan's National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory (NTSEL) and State Environment Protection Administration (SEPA) in China will be signed. This results from already existing extensive co-operation within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE GRPE) working group, and enables scientific collaboration between recognised vehicle-testing laboratories for the development and definition of future worldwide aligned emission standards.

The press conference provides also an opportunity to learn more about how the JRC provides an exceptional level of expertise on the preparation of a sound scientific background for vehicle emission and air quality directives through its emissions research, carried out at its Vehicle Emission Laboratories (VELA) in Ispra. Advanced results obtained by JRC in collaboration with the Lombardy Region will show the direct impact that research has on local, regional and national policy measures to improve the air quality in metropolitan areas.

More information can be found at: http://ies.jrc.cec.eu.int/Units/eh/events/EURO5/

European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)