Vehicle Safety and Standard’s Information Bulletin Changes to Emission Testing of Light Vehicles in WA (April 2009)
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you about changes in testing requirements to assess compliance with emission standards. Background The Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 2002 specify the in-service requirements for vehicle standards in WA, including maximum emissions levels. These standards refer to the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which are the national standards applying to vehicles at the time of manufacture and are administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
Australian emission standards for vehicles are generally based on European regulations, with acceptance of selected US and Japanese standards. In recent years Australia has been improving its emissions standards in line with more recently adopted European standards. New vehicles are much "cleaner" than they were a decade ago.
Testing In WA
Engine modifications may substantially affect emissions, particularly the addition of turbochargers and superchargers. Vehicles conversions from petrol and diesel to dual fuel, LPG or NG, or certain imported vehicles may also require testing in some cases. However, the lack of practical options for in-service testing of vehicle emissions has been an impediment to the Department for Planning and Infrastructure’s ability to ensure that the WA community is able to benefit from the improvements to the standards applying to new vehicles.
Although there is at least one company in WA capable of performing full ADR emission testing regime, these tests are expensive ($3000 or more per test). Authorities throughout Australia agree that in most cases it is unreasonable to expect that such expensive testing be required when assessing modified vehicles or imports. As a result, some jurisdictions have instead specified an IM240 test (for petrol or LPG powered vehicles) or a DT80 test (for diesel). These are abbreviated tests which approximate the ADR test regime but are simpler and cheaper to perform.
Until recently, WA needed to rely on 5-gas analyser tests, as IM240 and DT80 test facilities were not available in this State. However, with the recent establishment of at least one IM240 test facility and the proposed opening of a DT80 test facility in the near future, WA will be able to specify testing procedures that are nationally accepted as a reasonable approximation to the ADR testing requirements used for new vehicles. It is intended to gradually "phase in" the new testing requirements, beginning with the more critical applications, such as turbocharger or supercharger fitment, and progress to other applications over time.
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Policy
DPI Vehicle Examiners will require the applicant to provide evidence that an IM240 test has been performed on the vehicle and that the test results have been approved by DPI Vehicle Safety Standards as indicating that the vehicle meets appropriate emission standards for its type and year of manufacture. It is planned to implement this policy over time, using a phased approach as follows:
The following applications will require an IM240 test after 20 April 2009: o Engines modified by the fitment of a supercharger or turbocharger
o Individually constructed vehicles (ICVs)
o Engines that have been significantly modified to enhance performance (eg: with the fitment of a high performance camshaft)
o When there is evidence of reprogramming of the electronic control unit (ECU, the engine management computer), or a chip swap.
The following applications will require an IM240 test from 1 Aug 2009:
o CNG and LPG conversions on vehicles manufactured after 2002 where the owner cannot supply evidence of certification testing (that is the kit installers will need to request copies of test reports from the kit distributors and pass these onto their clients to show the vehicle examiner).
o Major modifications to the exhaust systems - where the catalytic converter has been replaced with one not OEM or where the operation of the catalytic converter has been affected by aftermarket modifications (such as extractors).
In addition, the following applications require an IM240 test from 1 December 2009:
o Newly imported vehicles manufactured prior to 1989.
Vehicle Examiners will require the applicant to provide a bone fide IM240 test report for the vehicle, along with all pertinent checklists required from the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (VSB14).
See http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa.../vsb_ncop.aspx.
In the case of major engine modifications and ICVs, a covering letter from Vehicle Safety and Standards shall also be provided, verifying that the vehicle has met the pertinent emission standards.
A vehicle which had a CNG/LPG conversion, a catalytic converter replacement, or is pre-1989 and has been imported,
will not require a letter from Vehicle Safety and Standards if the report states that vehicle has met the pertinent emission standards.
In some circumstances, Vehicle Safety and Standards may rule that an IM240 test is not necessary for the particular vehicle (e.g. an ICV that uses latest-model OEM engine and exhaust equipment, configured exactly as per the original manufacturer's specifications.) If this is the case, Vehicle Safety and Standards will provide the applicant with a signed letter to this effect. This letter must be provided to the Vehicle Examiner at the time of the examination.
Vehicle owners who attempt to license their vehicle without approved test reports will be directed to the Vehicle Safety and Standards Section. The above policy will be closely monitored over a 12 month period and adjustments will be made to address any unforeseen difficulties.
