The future of clean air starts in the workshop.
Helping professional partners prepare for the next generation of emissions testing.
Contact usWhy emissions testing is changing
For decades, diesel emissions inspection relied heavily on opacity testing. That approach was developed for older diesel technology.
Modern vehicles fitted with Diesel Particulate Filters can produce little visible smoke while a damaged, deteriorated or tampered filter releases large numbers of microscopic particles. Particle number testing measures what the filter should retain and can identify failures that opacity testing misses.
The European transition
Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland have introduced particle-number-based inspection regimes. In April 2025, the European Commission proposed updated roadworthiness rules that include new emissions tests for ultrafine particles and nitrogen oxides.
The proposal remains part of the EU legislative process. The site does not state that every member state has already implemented the same requirement. National rules, approvals and timescales must be checked market by market.
The clean-air case
Research associated with VERT and other technical organisations describes a relatively small group of high-emitting vehicles that can account for a very large share of fleet particle emissions. Sensitive inspection is valuable because it identifies the vehicles that matter most.
Repairing or removing high emitters from use can produce a direct clean-air benefit without treating every vehicle as a problem.
Why this matters commercially
Manufacturers
Develop and supply compliant, supportable equipment for a growing inspection category.
Distributors
Build product, training, service and technical-support activity around changing regulations.
Inspection networks
Plan equipment, approvals, technician readiness and data processes.
Workshop groups
Create DPF assessment, repair-validation and customer-reporting services.
Fleet operators
Identify high emitters and verify repair outcomes.
Policy and clean-air programmes
Use accurate measurement to focus attention on the vehicles producing the most particles.
Preparing a national or multinational organisation
Equipment is only one part of readiness
An inspection network also needs type-approved instruments for the relevant country, verification arrangements, technician training, maintenance capacity, data handling and a process for failed vehicles. Distributors need stock planning, demonstrations, service capability and accurate regulatory information.
Why early preparation matters
When national requirements come into force, demand can rise quickly. Organisations that have already reviewed approvals, tested workflows and trained staff are better placed than those beginning after the implementation date.
From compliance to diagnosis
The same ability to measure particle emissions can support DPF diagnosis, repair validation and fleet assessment. The business case therefore does not need to depend entirely on a statutory inspection date.