An amendment regulation that aims to tighten the emission standards for newly registered light duty vehicles and upgrade the emission standards for diesel private cars will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 19.

The Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) (Amendment) Regulation 2005 was gazetted today. Subject to the approval of the council, the amendments will take effect on January 1.

The amendment regulation requires newly registered motor vehicles having a design weight up to 2.5 tonnes to comply with the Euro IV emission standards from January 1.

It also requires those weighing between 2.5 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes to comply with the Euro IV standards from January 1, 2007.

The Environmental Protection Department said a Euro IV light duty vehicle emits about 50% less pollutants than a Euro III one.

Under the amendment regulation, newly registered diesel private cars have to comply with the latest California emission standards from January 1. Japan and US standards will be accepted whenever they are of equivalent stringency.