Skip to main content

Construction machines on public roads

Regulations are proposed for construction machines on public roads.
By MJ Woof September 7, 2023 Read time: 1 min
New regulations are proposed for the use of construction machines on the road in Europe – image © courtesy of Mike Woof

A new set of regulations are proposed for the approval and market surveillance of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) circulating on public roads. These have been put forward by the European Commission and are supported by Europe’s construction machinery body CECE.

This proposed legislation will close gaps in the single market and streamlining regulatory processes. Harmonising the framework for NRMM operating on public roads will lead to safer products and greater market efficiency across Europe, reducing barriers and facilitating the free movement of goods and services.

However, CECE, with this position paper, draws attention to certain critical aspects requiring further evaluation to prevent market distortions or ambiguities while proposing tailored amendments.

Key aspects include the importance of clarifying the scope, which should solely focus on the type-approval process and circulation of NRMM on public roads, since restricting market placement based on permission to circulate on public roads would deviate from the regulation's intent and create distortions. They also cover the inclusion of individual approvals within the scope and clarity in applicable rules during the transition period. There should be clarification on the treatment of end-of-series vehicles and the national homologation process. And there is the need to eliminate redundancies, enhance clarity and coherence in conformity assessment requirements (Article 15).
 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Europe extends engine emissions deadline
    November 5, 2020
    The vote paves the way for the final adoption and publication in the Official Journal of the amended version of Regulation (EU) 2016/1628.
  • New emissions proposals - lean, clean green construction machines – but at what cost?
    October 3, 2014
    The European Commission has published proposals setting strict limits on exhaust emissions for off-highway machinery. This proposal has major implications for the construction machinery sector and would make the EU exhaust emissions limits the strictest in the world. There has been a call for swift reading of the regulation in Parliament and Council. This long-anticipated proposal for a revision of the directive 97/68/EC, covers exhaust emissions reduction for engines installed in non-road mobile machinery.
  • Machine visibility in focus from EU Commission
    November 9, 2015
    All round visibility from the operator’s seat of a construction machine is a topic in focus at the EU Commission. This has been a topic of concern for the construction machinery sector ever since the EU Commission released a warning relating to the standard. This standard has provisions covering visibility requirements for earth-moving machinery. A position paper is intended to help clarify the situation.
  • New approach needed in Europe to help improve motorcycle safety
    August 22, 2012
    The European Commission is proposing that part of its controversial new Anti-Tampering regulations for motorcycles should be re-written to prevent custom motorcycle builders from using long-forks. This is the latest in a series of requirements in the regulations to attracted criticisms from motorcycle manufacturers, dealers, safety campaigners and enthusiasts groups.