European emission standardNetherlands

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Netherlands

64. European emission standard

A European emission standard, commonly called a Euro standard, is a European vehicle classification based on limits for pollutants emitted by vehicles and their engines. Successive standards, such as Euro 4, Euro 5 and Euro 6, introduced progressively stricter requirements for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

A vehicle's Euro standard is determined as part of its type approval and depends on factors including the vehicle category, fuel type and applicable emissions legislation when it was approved. Euro standards may also be used by authorities to determine access to low-emission zones, but local access rules vary between countries and cities.

Chart comparing European exhaust-emission standards for diesel cars.
Wikimedia.org • Rfeba • CC0

What is a European emission standard?

A European emission standard, or Euro standard, classifies vehicles according to the emissions requirements they had to satisfy when approved for use in the European market.

What do Euro 4, Euro 5 and Euro 6 mean?

They are successive generations of European emission requirements. In general, a higher Euro number represents a newer and stricter emissions standard, although the exact limits differ according to vehicle and fuel type.

Which pollutants do Euro standards regulate?

Depending on the vehicle and standard, limits apply to pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Newer standards also regulate additional environmental aspects.

Is the Euro standard the same as a vehicle's CO2 emissions?

No. Euro standards primarily regulate harmful air pollutants from vehicles. Carbon-dioxide emissions and fuel or energy consumption are subject to separate measurements and regulatory requirements.

How can you find a vehicle's Euro standard?

The Euro standard may appear on the vehicle registration certificate, certificate of conformity or other official vehicle documentation. Its location and format vary between countries.

Does the year of a vehicle determine its Euro standard?

The date of first registration can provide an indication, but it does not always determine the standard with certainty. The official vehicle documents or type-approval information provide the more reliable classification.

Can petrol and diesel vehicles with the same Euro number have different emission limits?

Yes. The applicable emission limits and testing requirements can differ according to the vehicle category, engine and fuel type even when vehicles belong to the same general Euro generation.

Can the Euro standard affect access to a low-emission zone?

Yes. Many low-emission zones use the vehicle's Euro standard together with factors such as fuel type and vehicle category to determine whether it may enter.

Does installing a particulate filter automatically change the Euro standard?

Not normally. The official Euro standard is linked to the vehicle's approved emissions classification. Retrofitting emission-control equipment does not necessarily result in a different official Euro classification.

What is Euro 7?

Euro 7 is the latest European emissions framework for road vehicles. It builds on earlier Euro standards and also introduces requirements covering areas such as non-exhaust particle emissions and battery durability.

Tram lights

Pothole

1 Netherlands 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Slope 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Priority road 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Roadworks 23 Weight limit 24 Radar speed sign 25 Selective barriers 26 Low-emission zone 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Road markings 31 Speed feedback 32 Traffic mirror 33 Emergency telephone 34 Cycling route 35 Parking 36 No parking 37 No stopping 38 Park and ride 39 Kiss and ride 40 Parking disc 41 Disabled parking 42 Traffic management 43 Merging 44 Reversing 45 Uncontrolled crossroad 46 Advisory cycle lane 47 Rush-hour lane 48 Emergency exit 49 Oversize load 50 City limit 51 Parking zone 52 Axle weight limit 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Dangers 56 Equestrian trail 57 Cyclist 58 Truck 59 Bus 60 Police 61 Ambulance 62 Bicycle parking station 63 Tram lights 64 European emission standard 65 Pothole 66 Path 67 Particulates 68 Air pollution 69 Rush hour 70 Road code 71 Street gutter 72 Cargo bike 73 Forestry vehicle 74 Construction vehicle 75 Semi-trailer truck 76 Trolleybus 77 Speed pedelec 78 Delivery vehicle 79 Idling 80 Tow truck 81 Four-wheel drive 82 No vehicles 83 Bicycle 84 Motorcycle equipment 85 Rail track 86 Caravan 87 Trailer 88 Tow hitch 89 Fire truck 90 Siren 91 Convoy 92 Emergency vehicle lighting 93 Agricultural machinery 94 Electric bicycle 95 Electric vehicle 96 Pedelec 97 Quadricycle 98 Microcar 99 All-terrain vehicle 100 Van ...