Mexico: Heavy-duty: Emissions

Overview

 * Standard type: Conventional pollution emissions
 * Regulating body: Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT)
 * Current standard: NOM-044-SEMARNAT-2006 for diesel engines and NOM-076-SEMARNAT-2012 for engines that run on gasoline, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), and natural gas
 * Applicability: (GVW) > 3,857 kg

History
Emissions standards for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles were first established in 1988 and became effective in model year 1993 (NOM-044-ECOL-1993). The standard NOM-044-SEMARNAT-2006 was adopted in 2006 as an update to NOM-044-SEMARNAT-1993, and it establishes emission limits for total hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particles, and opacity for new heavy-duty diesel engines. The standard allows compliance with either US 2004 or Euro IV equivalent standards. NOM-076-SEMARNAT-2012, was adopted on 27 November 2012 and establishes emissions for hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide and evaporative emission limits for hydrocarbons for new heavy-duty engines that use gasoline, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas or other alternative fuels.

Mandatory compliance with EPA 2004/Euro IV standards began in July 2008, however, the relevant standard was modified in 2011 by an Acuerdo (agreement) from SEMARNAT to extend the regulatory timeline for compliance with EPA 2004/Euro IV standards to June 2014.

Technical Standards
Both NOM-044-SEMARNAT-2006 (diesel) and NOM-076-SEMARNAT-2012 (gasoline) are applicable to new engines intended for use in vehicles with a gross vehicle weight greater than 3,857 kg (8,500 lbs.) or for new vehicles of this size.

Diesel Engine Standards
Emission standards for new heavy-duty diesel engines first became effective in model year 1993 and were based on US 1991 and later requirements, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) FTP transient test cycle.

Standards for MY 1993-1998 were equivalent to US standards and compliance could be demonstrated through certification by US EPA. Under NOM-044, engines in Mexico are provided compliance options and can meet European standards, as measured on the official European test cycles (ETC and ESC), as an alternative to the EPA-based standards; compliance with standards can be demonstrated through:
 * Letter or proof issued by motor manufacturer, including earnings report issued by the testing laboratory,
 * Certificate or proof issued by the Environmental Protection Authority of the country of origin or country of certification, or
 * Certificate issued by Certification Bodies for the country of origin or country of certification.

The emission standards compliance timeline and current equivalent limit values are outlined below:

Gasoline, LPG, and NG Engine Standards
Emission standards for new heavy-duty engines fueled by gasoline, LPG, natural gas and other alternative fuels are specified by the NOM-076 standard, adopted in 1995, with later amendments in 2012. Similar to the diesel regulations, the emission standards are applicable to gas engines used in vehicles of GVW > 3,857 kg (8,500 lbs).

Gasoline and gaseous fueled engines are tested over the FTP transient test and must meet the US EPA-based emission standards shown in the following 2 tables.

Natural gas engines can alternatively be tested over the European Transition Cycle; relevant standards are show in the following table.

Manufacturers may choose to certify gasoline and gaseous fueled vehicles with GVW up to 6,356 kg (14,000 lbs) on a chassis dynamometer over the FTP-75 cycle. The table below summarizes emission standards for chassis-certified vehicles.

Regulatory Documents

 * NOM-076-SEMARNAT-2012


 * NOM-044-SEMARNAT-2006


 * NOM-076-SEMARNAT-1995


 * NOM-044-ECOL-1993