Transport for LondonFitting abatement equipment
Approved pollution abatement equipment
It may be possible to fit approved pollution abatement equipment to reduce your vehicle's particulate matter emissions sufficiently to meet the LEZ emissions standards. Normally this would be a particulate trap or a partial filter.
- Particulate traps
A particulate trap is a filter which is fitted in the exhaust pipe of a vehicle to reduce emissions of particulate matter. Typically a particulate trap could effectively improve the Euro standard of an engine by at least two Euro standards for particulate matter (for example reducing the particulate matter emissions of a Euro II engine to the equivalent of a Euro IV engine). - Partial filters
Partial filters are not designed to trap as much particulate matter as particulate traps, and typically remove half of the particulate matter emitted. Fitting a partial filter could effectively improve the Euro standard of an engine by one Euro standard for particulate matter (for example reducing the particulate matter emissions of a Euro II engine to the equivalent of a Euro III engine).
TfL only accept pollution abatement equipment that has been certified by a TfL-approved supplier.
All vehicles registered in Great Britain which are fitted with an abatement device or modification, must be inspected annually by the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and receive either a Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) or Low Emissions Certificate (LEC) to confirm that a modification appropriate to the engine has been fitted.
Vehicles not registered in Great Britain which are fitted with abatement devices, will need to register with TfL and provide evidence of the device fitted and its certification or approval.
Next steps
Getting an RPC or LEC
1. Check eligibility
Only pollution abatement equipment which has been independently certified to meet the required emissions standards for the LEZ will be accepted by TfL. A list of currently approved equipment and their suppliers can be found on the LEC approved devices list (PDF 1.5MB).
2. Find a supplier
Equipment manufacturers can advise you on approved abatement devices that may be available for your engine.
The table below provides details of approved abatement equipment suppliers. To use the table, find the column corresponding to the age and emission standard of your vehicle. The Euro standard alongside each supplier indicates the emissions standard that approved abatement equipment may be able to achieve - ie either the Euro III for Particulate Matter (PM) standard required in 2008, or the higher Euro IV for PM standard required in 2012, dependent upon the device and engine.
| Suppliers of approved abatement equipment |
Date vehicle was first registered and emissions standard | |||
|
Before 1/10/93 Pre Euro |
1/10/93 to 1/10/96 Euro I |
1/10/96 to 1/10/01 Euro II |
1/10/01 to 1/1/0/06 Euro III | |
| Fitting abatement equipment may improve the emission standard for particulate matter to: | ||||
| Astra Vehicle Technologies +44 (0) 151 348 5777 sales@astra-vt.com |
Euro III |
Euro III or IV |
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
|
Cawdell Group |
Euro III |
Euro III or IV |
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
| Clean Diesel Technologies +44 (0) 188 362 9090 lez@cdti.com |
Euro III |
Euro III or IV |
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
| Dinex Exhausts +44 (0) 192 584 9849 lez@dinex.co.uk |
Euro III |
Euro III or IV |
Euro III or IV |
Euro IV |
| Eminox +44 (0) 142 781 0088 lez@eminox.com |
Euro III |
Euro III or IV |
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
| European Exhaust and Catalyst Ltd +44 (0) 2392 245 300 sales@eurocats.co.uk |
- |
- |
Euro III |
- |
| GAT Eurocat +44 (0) 134 470 7445 gerd.vanAaken@gat-kat.com |
Euro III or IV |
Euro III or IV |
Euro III or IV |
Euro IV |
| Baumot +44 (0) 1908 821103 info@baumot.co.uk |
Euro III |
Euro IV
|
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
| Pirelli Eco Technologies +44 (0) 128 352 5715 infouk@pirelliambiente.com |
Euro III |
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
3. Fit certified equipment
Suppliers can recommend fitters. Ensure you keep all documentation for the engine and device as you will need to provide this to VOSA.
You have two options when fitting certified equipment:
Option 1: Book and take a test with VOSA
Book either a Low Emissions or Reduced Pollution test. Call VOSA on 0300 123 9000 or visit the Transport Office website to find your local Heavy Goods Vehicle Test Station.
VOSA will examine your vehicle to confirm that the abatement device or modification is approved with the specific engine in your vehicle, as recorded on TfL's Approved Devices List. If they are not, the test will not be carried out or, if the inspection has already begun, the vehicle will be failed. They will also carry out a smoke opacity test to check it is functioning correctly and meets the required test standards. For further information about the technical testing process, please visit the Transport Office website.
Test results will be sent to TfL automatically. It may take up to 10 days for TfL's database to be updated.
Option 2: Take a test on site by an Authorised Examiner
The fitter who is fitting the approved abatement device may be a VOSA authorised examiner and therefore eligible to conduct the required smoke opacity test for you.
Once the test is successfully completed, the authorised examiner will submit application forms to VOSA, who will then conduct a quality check on the documentation received. If all the requirements have been achieved, VOSA will issue either a LEC or RPC and send the certificate direct to the operator by post. A fee of £28 will be charged for the issue of the certificate.
Test results will be sent to TfL automatically. It may take up to 10 days for TfL's database to be updated.
For more information, download the information leaflet on the Transport Office website.
4. Remember to re-test
RPCs and LECs are valid for at least 12 months, after which vehicles will need to be re-tested. This test can be scheduled with your annual vehicle inspection.
If you fail to re-test your vehicle, your RPC or LEC will expire. If you drive within the LEZ and no valid daily charge has been paid, you may be liable for a Penalty Charge.
