Correction of test standards for M1 and N1 emissions: what changes for manufacturers in 2025

Key data

Manufacturers of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles that are in the process of type approval — or that have already obtained one — have an urgent reason to review their technical documentation. The error correction published on 5 September 2025 in the EU Official Journal modifies the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1706, which is precisely the regulation that sets how exhaust and evaporative emissions from vehicles in categories M1 (passenger cars) and N1 (light commercial vehicles, such as vans) must be measured and certified.

This correction is not a policy change: it is a technical rectification. But in the field of type approval, a corrected error in a parameter or procedure can invalidate tests already carried out or require the repetition of tests. The operational and economic impact can be significant for engineering and regulatory compliance teams.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1706 develops Regulation (EU) 2024/1257, which is the reference regulatory framework for type approval in the field of exhaust and evaporative emissions in the EU. Specifically, Regulation 2025/1706 establishes:

• Test standards for measuring exhaust emissions from M1 and N1 vehicles.
• Procedures and methodologies that laboratories and manufacturers must follow during tests.
• Criteria applicable to evaporative emissions, in addition to exhaust emissions.
• Modifications to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683, which regulates the administrative requirements of the type approval process.

The error correction now published may affect any of these elements: specific technical parameters, applicable limit values or the test procedure steps themselves. Since the correction text rectifies the original regulation, manufacturers must always work with the consolidated version that incorporates these modifications.

Economic and operational impact

Error corrections in technical type approval regulations have an operational impact that goes beyond the documentary. The main economic risks are:

• Test repetition: If the correction modifies a parameter or procedure that had already been applied in a previous test, the manufacturer may be required to repeat it. Emissions tests have high costs in terms of laboratory time, engineering resources and certification.
• Review of type approval files: Files already submitted to national authorities may need updating if the technical data provided was based on the erroneous version of the regulation.
• Delay in market launch: A type approval process that must be partially redone can delay the market launch of a model, with the consequent impact on sales and production planning.
• Update of compliance management systems: Suppliers of exhaust and emissions control systems that supply manufacturers must also verify that their components comply with the corrected parameters.

Additionally, national type approval authorities must update their internal evaluation criteria to apply the corrected version of the regulation to files being processed or received after the publication date.

Who does it affect?

• Passenger car manufacturers (category M1): All manufacturers that type approve passenger vehicles in the EU must apply the corrected test procedures.
• Light commercial vehicle manufacturers (category N1): Vans and derivatives with maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes, including mixed-use versions.
• Suppliers of exhaust and emissions control systems: Companies that supply critical components for compliance with emissions limits must verify the conformity of their products with the corrected parameters.
• Accredited test laboratories: Laboratories that carry out type approval tests must update their protocols in accordance with the corrected version of the regulation.
• National type approval authorities: In Spain, the General Directorate of Land Transport and associated technical bodies must incorporate the corrections into their evaluation criteria.
• Type approval and regulatory compliance departments of automotive groups with presence in the EU.

Practical example

A light commercial vehicle manufacturer (category N1) has a type approval process underway for a new van with a combustion engine. The technical file was prepared using Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1706 in its original version, published on 25 July 2025.

Following the publication of the error correction on 5 September 2025, the type approval team must:

1. Identify which parameters, limit values or test procedure steps have been corrected in the new version of the regulation.
2. Compare those elements with the technical data already included in the type approval file.
3. If any test was carried out applying a value or procedure that the correction modifies, assess whether it is necessary to repeat the test or if the result remains valid under the corrected version.
4. Update the technical file and communicate the changes to the national type approval authority before it issues the resolution.

This process may involve days or weeks of additional work for the technical team, and potentially the cost of repeating one or more laboratory tests if the corrected parameters affect tests already carried out.

What should companies do now?

1. Download the consolidated version of Regulation (EU) 2025/1706 that incorporates the error correction published on 5 September 2025. Always work with the updated version, not the original from July 2025.
2. Review all type approval files in progress to identify if any technical parameter, limit value or test procedure applied matches the corrected elements.
3. Assess the validity of tests already carried out under the previous version of the regulation. If any test was based on data that the correction modifies, consult with the accredited laboratory to see if it needs to be repeated.
4. Update internal procedures of type approval, emissions engineering and regulatory compliance departments to reflect the corrected version of the regulation.
5. Communicate the changes to suppliers of exhaust and emissions control systems so they can verify that their components continue to comply with the corrected parameters.
6. Contact the national type approval authority if there are files already submitted that may be affected, to agree on the update procedure before the resolution is issued.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: 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_202690521