Switzerland: New particulate matter measurement for Category V vehicles

News - 30/03/2026

Capelec-CAP3070-PN-counter-for-construction-vehicles.jpg

In summary:

  • Opacity measurement is replaced by particle number (PN) measurement.
  • Mandatory use of a device approved by METAS.
  • Limit value: 250,000 particles/cm³ (2.5 × 10⁵).

Emissions testing for non-road machinery fitted with diesel engines

From 1 January 2026, certain vehicles not type-approved for road use must therefore undergo mandatory emissions testing. This applies to unregistered Category V construction machinery such as excavators, loaders, etc.

In Switzerland, the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (OPair) imposes pollutant emission limits on construction machinery, depending on their power output and year of manufacture. Machines with a power output of over 18 kW must undergo an exhaust emissions test every two years to verify their compliance and assess their impact on health and the environment.

This test involves measuring emissions, carrying out a diagnosis and any necessary repairs if limits are exceeded, followed by the issue of a certificate with a sticker.

To ensure compliance, professionals using these vehicles are therefore obliged to have the particle emissions from their construction machinery tested during the mandatory inspection using a suitable particle counter approved by METAS.

particle monitoring equipment for construction machinery

measuring particulate emissions from agricultural machinery

particulate emissions testing of construction machinery

Vehicles covered:

Implementation timetable: 

  • ↦ From 1 January 2026, opacity testing will be replaced by particulate matter testing for Category V ‘machinery and equipment not intended for road use’ newly placed on the market.
  • ↦ From 1 January 2027, this change will also apply to equipment in the same category already in use: particle number measurement will then replace opacity measurement and must be carried out at the next emissions test.

Features of the PN counter:

  • METAS-approved equipment
  • results expressed in #/cm³
  • technology suitable for exhaust particles

The Swiss Contractors’ Association is helping businesses with the steps they need to take to remain compliant through this explanatory video.

Particle count measurement for machinery and equipment in V category

Thanks to the SSE for this awareness-raising video, produced in collaboration with the Federal Institute of Metrology and theFOEN.

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