Key data
| Regulation | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1787 of 23 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 24 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the published text |
| Affected parties | Heavy vehicle manufacturers, transport companies and truck and bus fleet operators |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Reference standard | Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council |
Transport companies with heavy vehicle fleets can no longer operate outside the control of their real emissions. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1787, published on 24 July 2026, establishes the detailed technical procedure for collecting CO2 emissions data under real driving conditions for trucks and buses, complementing the framework set by Regulation (EU) 2019/1242.
The key to this standard is traceability: the European Commission detected a significant gap in the light vehicle segment between emissions measured in the laboratory and those produced on the road. This regulation closes that same gap for heavy transport, with direct consequences for both manufacturers and fleet operators.
What does this regulation establish?
The regulation details the technical procedure by which CO2 emissions data generated by heavy vehicles under real driving conditions are collected, monitored and transmitted. These are not laboratory measurements: the data comes from vehicles on the road.
The obligations are structured at two differentiated levels:
| Obligated party | Main obligation | Consequence of non-compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy vehicle manufacturers | Implement systems for monitoring and transmitting operational data from their vehicles in circulation | Significant economic sanctions if CO2 reduction targets are not met |
| Transport companies and fleet operators | Report consumption and emissions data; prepare for audits of operational data | Exposure to audits and review of contracts with manufacturers |
A particularly relevant element for operators is the review of contracts with manufacturers: the regulation introduces the need to verify that existing agreements provide access to the monitoring data that operators are required to report.
Economic and operational impact
The economic impact of this regulation operates on two different levels depending on the type of company affected.
For manufacturers, the main risk is economic sanctions linked to failure to meet the CO2 reduction targets set in Regulation (EU) 2019/1242. Although the implementing regulation does not specify concrete penalty amounts, the reference sanctioning framework is that of the base regulation, which establishes penalties for each gram of CO2 per tonne-kilometre that exceeds the target. The regulatory pressure on manufacturers is indirectly passed on to fleet operators through contractual conditions and the availability of compliant vehicles.
For fleet operators, costs are mainly operational and adaptation-related:
- Investment in systems or tools for collecting and reporting real consumption data.
- Cost of audits of operational data to which they are subject.
- Legal review of contracts with manufacturers to ensure access to monitoring data.
- Possible need for early fleet renewal if current vehicles do not allow for the required monitoring.
Who does it affect?
- Heavy vehicle manufacturers that market trucks and buses in the European Union: must implement systems for monitoring and transmitting data in their vehicles in circulation.
- Road transport companies that operate truck fleets: are subject to obligations to report real consumption and emissions data.
- Bus fleet operators (passenger transport companies, regular line concessionaires, urban and interurban transport operators): same reporting obligations as truck operators.
- Legal and compliance advisors of transport companies: must review contracts with manufacturers and prepare internal audit procedures.
- CFOs and operations directors of logistics companies with their own fleet: must assess the impact on operating costs and fleet renewal planning.
Practical example
A freight transport company operating a fleet of 50 long-haul trucks must, from the entry into force of this regulation, collect and report the real fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data of each vehicle in circulation.
If the monitoring systems installed by the manufacturer in those trucks do not transmit the data in the format or frequency required by the regulation, the operating company will not be able to comply with its reporting obligation. In that scenario, the operator must turn to its contract with the manufacturer to demand access to that data, or invest in its own telemetry solutions that capture it directly from the vehicle.
Additionally, if the company is subject to an audit of operational data and cannot demonstrate correct reporting of emissions, it is exposed to the sanctioning consequences provided for in the framework of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242. Therefore, contract review with manufacturers and the implementation of a fleet data management system are immediate and non-optional steps.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if your fleet is affected: Check if you operate heavy vehicles (trucks or buses) in the EU. If so, this regulation applies directly to you.
- Review contracts with manufacturers: Verify that existing agreements provide access to the real emissions monitoring data that the regulation requires you to report. If they do not, negotiate a specific addendum or clause.
- Audit current monitoring systems: Check if the vehicles in your fleet already have operational data transmission systems compatible with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2026/1787.
- Implement or update data reporting tools: If you do not have a fleet data management system that allows you to collect and report real consumption and emissions, evaluate the options available on the market.
- Prepare the internal audit procedure: Design an internal process that ensures the traceability of emissions data and allows you to respond to an external audit without issues.
- Consult with a specialized advisor: Given the technical and legal complexity of the requirements, it is advisable to have specific advice on emissions regulations and vehicle supply contracts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between certified emissions and real emissions that this regulation requires to be measured?
Certified emissions are measured under controlled laboratory conditions and serve to certify the vehicle. Real emissions are those produced by the vehicle under normal road driving conditions. Regulation (EU) 2026/1787 establishes the procedure for collecting precisely this real data, closing the gap that was previously detected in light vehicles and which is now being transferred to the heavy vehicle segment.
What happens if my transport company does not report real emissions data?
Fleet operators are subject to obligations to report consumption and emissions data and may be subject to audits of operational data. Non-compliance can result in significant economic sanctions, especially in the case of manufacturers that fail to meet the CO2 reduction targets set in Regulation (EU) 2019/1242, the reference standard that this implementing regulation complements.
Are truck manufacturers the only ones responsible for installing monitoring systems?
According to the regulation, manufacturers must implement systems for monitoring and transmitting operational data in their vehicles in circulation. However, fleet operators are responsible for reporting consumption and emissions data, which requires them to verify that they have effective access to that data, reviewing their contracts with manufacturers if necessary.
When does Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1787 enter into force?
The regulation was published on 24 July 2026, but the specific date of entry into force is not specified in the published information. It is essential to consult the full text in the EU Official Journal to know the exact application deadline and any possible transitional periods.
Should I review my contracts with truck manufacturers because of this regulation?
Yes. The regulation introduces the need for fleet operators to access the monitoring data generated by systems installed by manufacturers. If your current contracts do not provide for that access, you must negotiate a contractual modification to ensure it, as without that data you will not be able to comply with your obligation to report real emissions.
Official source
Consult full regulation in 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_202601787