Air pollutants are not only emitted by road traffic, but also by the non-road sector, i.e. from mobile machinery and equipment not intended for the transport of people and goods on the road. This includes, for example, construction machinery and agricultural and forestry machinery, but also equipment used for gardening/hobby and other purposes.
Since 2018, the exhaust emission regulations for machinery and equipment in Switzerland have been fully harmonised with the EU. All types of non-road mobile machinery with combustion engines may only be placed on the market if they meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/1628, better known as ‘Stage V’.
The FOEN monitors compliance with the regulations concerning placing machines and equipment with internal combustion engines on the market (Art. 37 OAPC). Market surveillance involves identifying and investigating systematic cases of non-compliance. These include declarations of conformity or labelling of machines that do not meet the OAPC requirements (stage V).
For use on construction sites, older machines that have already been placed on the market must be equipped with a particulate filter.
When operating small appliances such as power saws, hedge trimmers or lawn mowers, users are directly exposed to the exhaust gases, even if the appliances fulfil stage V. The FOEN recommends using aromatics-free alkylate for such work. Unlike conventional gasoline, it is almost free of the carcinogen benzene. In addition, fewer pollutants are produced overall during combustion. The quality of the alkylate is regulated in the SN 181 163 standard.
Last modification 14.04.2025
