What are non-road mobile machines (NRMM)?
NRMM stands for non-road mobile machinery. This refers to a broad group of machines that are generally not used on public roads. Examples include small garden and hand tools, such as lawn mowers and chainsaws; construction machinery, such as excavators and bulldozers; and agricultural machinery, such as harvesters and cultivators. Rail vehicles and inland waterway vessels also fall under this category.
The problem
Internal combustion engines in these machines, such as diesel and gasoline engines, emit pollutants that contribute to air pollution. These include carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. Because NRMM are used on a large scale in sectors such as construction, agriculture, and industry, the impact on air quality is significant.
The goal
European regulations are aimed at gradually reducing these emissions. This is achieved through stricter emission requirements and the promotion of cleaner technologies. Ultimately, the most polluting engines must be phased out, and the sector is making the transition to cleaner, more efficient, and often alternative propulsion systems.
LegislationEmissions from these engines are regulated by the so-called NRMM Regulation. This European regulation entered into force on January 1, 2017. It is Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 of the European Parliament and of the Council of September 14, 2016.
This regulation sets out requirements for emission limits for gaseous and particulate pollutants, as well as for the type approval of internal combustion engines for non-road mobile machinery. In addition, the regulation amends previous European rules and replaces the former Directive 97/68/EC.
For manufacturers and importers, this means:
- Engines must comply with Stage V emission standards
- Machines may only be placed on the market if they have type approval
- Modifications to engines may require recertification
In practice, this means:
- New machines come standard with cleaner engines and aftertreatment systems
- Existing machines are increasingly being retrofitted or replaced
- There is a shift toward electric and hybrid solutions
The implementation of Stage V took place in phases. For most engines, the requirements have been in effect since 2019 and 2020, depending on power output.
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