New Particulate Matter Measurement in Belgium: Requests for Compliance Are on the Rise

Since July 2022, many Belgian drivers have had their vehicles fail the technical inspection due to the new exhaust emissions testing procedure.

In fact, over the past year, Flemish inspection centers have rejected 12% of Euro 5 and 6 diesel vehicles that emitted excessive levels of fine particulate matter. These vehicles no longer meet the standard because they are too polluting; they have been granted a temporary technical inspection and must be repaired.

The grace period is coming to an end, so drivers are turning to their mechanics to bring their vehicles up to standard.

GOCA advises drivers to have their cars inspected by a professional repair shop

If the vehicle exceeds the limit of 250,000 particles/cm³, the vehicle inspection center notifies the driver of the non-compliance, and the vehicle is allowed to operate with a temporary permit until the next mandatory inspection.

At 1,000,000 particles/cm³ or higher, the vehicle fails the inspection, and the inspection report notes a serious defect requiring repair. Learn more. The defective particulate filter must then be cleaned or replaced by a mechanic before a new inspection.

The Association of Certified Vehicle Inspection Companies is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles by having a thorough diagnostic check performed at a professional repair shop.

Garage technicians may, if they wish, offer their customers a pre-emissions inspection

After repairing the particulate filter, the mechanic can verify that the vehicle meets compliance standards before it undergoes another inspection. The mechanic will then ensure that particulate emissions are below the permitted threshold to prevent the vehicle from failing the inspection again.

This pre-inspection of emissions must be performed using appropriate equipment capable of measuring particle levels with high precision. A particle counter is essential for performing this verification measurement.

The measuring equipment must meet the same requirements as those imposed by the Technical Inspection Authority.

Approved in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany, the Capelec CAP3070 particle counter has been in use there by vehicle inspection centers and auto repair shops for two years now.

The measurement is reliable and takes only a few minutes. The technology used is less complex and less expensive than other measurement methods on the market. It requires little maintenance and no consumables.

The CAP3070 particle counter enables workshops and inspection agencies to work productively and efficiently

• • Equipment proven by vehicle inspection centers
• • Fast measurement
• • Minimal maintenance
• • High-precision Ext DC technology
• • Very easy-to-use equipment
• • Suitable for heavy-duty use

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