On 13 July 2026, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 to incorporate Euro 7 environmental and emission requirements for light-duty vehicles produced in unlimited series and for special purpose vehicles. The regulation adds references to Euro 7 implementing rules covering in-vehicle battery durability, brake particle emissions, electric vehicle range at low temperature, and electrified vehicle system power. It also updates the list of equivalent UN Regulations recognised for EU type-approval.
The delegated regulation, adopted under reference C(2026)3147 by the Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), amends Part I of Annex II to include Euro 7 requirements for M1 and N1 category vehicles. For special purpose vehicles, the new rules are added to Part III, enabling their type-approval under the same environmental standards. The regulation also updates Part II of Annex II to recognise UN Regulations Nos 83, 154, 177, and 179 as equivalent to EU requirements, providing manufacturers with an alternative compliance pathway.
This is the first major update to the type-approval framework since the adoption of the Euro 7 regulation in 2024. The new rules aim to reduce real-world emissions from road transport, particularly from braking systems and battery degradation, and to address consumer concerns about electric vehicle performance in cold weather. The regulation enters into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, making it directly applicable in all Member States without national transposition.
For manufacturers, the regulation imposes new compliance costs for testing and certification of battery durability and brake particle emissions, as well as for demonstrating EV range at low temperatures. However, the recognition of equivalent UN Regulations offers flexibility, potentially reducing duplication of testing for global manufacturers. Consumers may benefit from more reliable battery performance and range information, while environmental groups are likely to welcome the inclusion of brake particle emissions, a significant source of non-exhaust pollution. National type-approval authorities will need to update their testing procedures and may face administrative burdens in verifying compliance with the new requirements.
The delegated regulation will now be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council, which have the right to object within a two-month scrutiny period. Given the technical nature of the amendments and the prior political agreement on Euro 7, significant objections are unlikely. The regulation is expected to apply to new vehicle types from 2027, with a phased introduction for existing models.