Brake particle emissions 2026: what car and van manufacturers must do

Key data

Manufacturers of cars and light vans operating in Europe face a new layer of technical requirements in the homologation process. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1762 develops the technical standards necessary to apply Regulation (EU) 2024/1257, which already established the general framework on brake particle emissions. Now comes the implementing regulation: the specific procedures, test methodologies and administrative requirements that must be followed in practice.

The starting point is clear: particles generated by brake wear represent a significant part of urban particle emissions, and until now were not regulated with the same rigor as exhaust emissions. This regulation closes that gap.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1762 does not create new substantive obligations—Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 already did that—but rather defines how to measure, how to certify and how to document compliance. Specifically, it establishes three content blocks:

The regulation responds to growing concern about urban particle pollution not related to exhaust—from brake, tire and pavement wear—which in dense traffic environments can exceed the relevance of tailpipe emissions, especially in electric and hybrid vehicles where the engine does not emit but brakes do.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is not abstract regulatory: it directly affects product development cycles, R&D budgets and market launch timelines.

• Brake system redesign: Component manufacturers that have not anticipated these requirements will need to review materials, geometries and formulations of pads and discs to meet new particle emission limits.
• Investment in test capacity: Homologation laboratories need to equip themselves with the specific instrumentation required by the new standardized methodologies. This involves investment in equipment and training of technical personnel.
• Extension of homologation timelines: Adding a new battery of tests to the certification process means more time and cost before being able to launch a model on the European market.
• Risk of commercial blockade: Non-compliance with these requirements directly prevents commercialization of the vehicle in the European market. It is not an economic sanction: it is the inability to sell.

For vehicle manufacturers with models already in production, the urgency is maximum: the regulation entered into force on 13 July 2026, even before its official publication on 22 July.

Who does it affect?

• Category M1 vehicle manufacturers (cars, sedans, SUVs, minivans): must ensure that their models pass the new brake particle tests to maintain or renew European homologation.
• Category N1 vehicle manufacturers (light commercial vans or mixed use): same obligation as cars, with special relevance for delivery fleets and light commercial vehicles.
• Brake system and component manufacturers (pads, discs, calipers): their products must meet the technical requirements that allow the final vehicle to pass the tests. They are the critical link in the chain.
• Homologation laboratories: must implement the new standardized test methodologies to be able to issue valid certifications under this regulation.
• R&D and homologation departments of the above groups: they are responsible for leading internal adaptation.

Practical example

A European van manufacturer N1 plans to launch a new urban delivery model in the first quarter of 2027. The vehicle had already completed its exhaust emissions homologation cycle, but the brake system was designed before Regulation 2026/1762 came into force.

To be able to market the model in the EU, the manufacturer must now submit the brake system to the standardized test methodologies established by this regulation, document the results according to the administrative procedures defined and certify that particle emission levels comply with the technical requirements of Regulation (EU) 2024/1257. If the current brake system does not pass the tests, the manufacturer will need to work with its component supplier to reformulate or redesign the pads or discs before launch. Each week of delay in this process is one less week of commercial window in the European market.

What should companies do now?

1. Audit the homologation status of current models: Identify which M1 and N1 vehicles in production or development need to pass the new brake particle tests under Regulation 2026/1762.
2. Review contracts with brake system suppliers: Verify whether current components meet the technical requirements of the new regulation or if it is necessary to renegotiate specifications with suppliers.
3. Contact accredited homologation laboratories: Confirm that the laboratory you work with has already implemented the new standardized test methodologies and can issue valid certifications.
4. Update R&D processes: Incorporate the new brake particle emission parameters from the early stages of new model design, to avoid costly redesigns in advanced phases.
5. Review administrative documentation: Ensure that homologation files include all documentation required by the new administrative procedures of the regulation.
6. Evaluate commercial blockade risk: For models with planned launch in the next 12-18 months, calculate the impact on the timeline if tests require redesign iterations.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601762