Euro Standards: Emission Guide

Understanding European emission standards and their impact in Switzerland

What are Euro standards?

Euro standards (Euro 1 to 6d) are European regulations setting maximum pollutant emission limits for new vehicles. Switzerland applies the same standards as the EU.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Respiratory irritants, ozone precursors

Particulate matter (PM / PN)

Carcinogenic, penetrate the lungs

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Toxic, odourless and colourless gas

Unburnt hydrocarbons (HC)

Contribute to smog and ozone

In Switzerland

Switzerland applies the same standards as the EU via the Ordinance on Technical Requirements (OETV). Your vehicle's Euro standard is indicated in field 24 of the type approval and influences the vehicle tax in some cantons.

Limit values by standard

Standard Year Diesel NOx
(g/km)		 Diesel PM
(g/km)		 Petrol NOx
(g/km)		 Test
Euro 11993-0.14-ECE 15
Euro 21997-0.08-ECE 15
Euro 320010.500.050.15NEDC
Euro 420060.250.0250.08NEDC
Euro 520110.180.0050.06NEDC
Euro 6b20150.080.0050.06NEDC
Euro 6c20180.080.0050.06WLTP
Euro 6d-TEMP20190.080.0050.06WLTP + RDE
Euro 6d20210.080.0050.06WLTP + RDE

Euro 1-2: NOx had no separate limit (only combined HC+NOx). Years shown indicate the obligation for all new vehicles.

Euro 6 sub-stages explained

The Euro 6 standard has undergone several major evolutions, mainly in testing methods. The emission limits remain identical, but measurement conditions have become much stricter.

6bSeptember 2015

Laboratory test NEDC only. First version of Euro 6, identical to base limits.

6cSeptember 2018

Introduction of the WLTP lab test (more realistic than NEDC). No road testing yet.

6d-TEMPSeptember 2019

Addition of RDE (Real Driving Emissions) on-road tests, with a conformity factor of 2.1 for NOx.

6dJanuary 2021

RDE conformity factor reduced to 1.43. Strictest version, mandatory real-world measurement.

NEDC vs WLTP vs RDE

NEDC (old): theoretical lab test, not very representative. WLTP: more realistic lab test (varied speeds and accelerations). RDE: measured directly on the road with a portable PEMS device. This evolution of testing methods ended the Dieselgate scandal.

Euro 7: what changes

The Euro 7 regulation (EU Regulation 2024/1257) was adopted in April 2024 and will come into force in two phases:

2026

November 2026

New type approvals (new models)

2027

November 2027

All new vehicles registered

Key Euro 7 changes

Exhaust limits maintained

Same NOx/PM thresholds as Euro 6d, but expanded test conditions (all temperatures, altitudes)

Brake particles

First worldwide regulation on brake dust emissions (PM10: 7 mg/km, then 3 mg/km)

Tyre abrasion

Limits on tyre wear (measurement method under development)

EV battery durability

Min. 80% capacity at 5 years/100,000 km, 72% at 8 years/160,000 km

Emission system durability

Systems must remain compliant for 10 years or 200,000 km (vs 5 years/100,000 km currently)

Electric vehicles included

For the first time, EVs are covered (brakes, tyres, battery)

Where to find my vehicle's Euro standard?

Type approval

The Euro standard is coded in field 24.2 of the type approval (e.g. "5;71/1/EEC*2007/715*ABJ12").

Search

Vehicle registration

The Euro standard does not appear directly on the vehicle registration. It references the type approval (field 24) which contains this information.

Estimate by date

Approximation: before 2006 = Euro 3, 2006-2010 = Euro 4, 2011-2015 = Euro 5, after 2015 = Euro 6.

Decoding field 24

The number at the beginning of the code indicates the standard: 1 = Euro 1, 2 = Euro 2, ..., 5 = Euro 5, 5+ = Euro 6 (references directive 715/2007). See our field 24 guide for the complete decoding.

Impact of Euro standards in Switzerland

Cantonal vehicle tax

Some cantons (Bern, Vaud, Geneva, Basel...) apply an ecological bonus/penalty based on the Euro standard and CO2 emissions.

  • Euro 6 / electric: possible reductions
  • Euro 4 and below: possible surcharges

Low emission zones (LEZ)

Geneva has introduced the Stick'Air system for its low emission zone. The most polluting vehicles can be banned during pollution peaks.

  • Stick'Air category 1 (green): Euro 6 petrol / Euro 6 diesel
  • Category 5-6: possible ban

Travelling in Europe

Many European cities require environmental stickers:

  • Crit'Air (France): mandatory in Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg...
  • Umweltplakette (Germany): green sticker required in all LEZs
  • Area B/C (Milan): diesel Euro 4 and below banned

Resale value

The Euro standard directly impacts depreciation, especially for older diesels.

  • Diesel Euro 5 and below: high depreciation, hard to resell
  • Euro 6d: better resale value
  • Euro 3 and below: classic car or export

Environmental stickers

Two sticker systems directly concern Swiss motorists:

Stick'Air (Geneva)

Mandatory for driving in the canton of Geneva during pollution peaks (differentiated traffic measures).

Cat.ColourVehicles
0Dark greenElectric, hydrogen
1GreenEuro 6 petrol / Euro 6 diesel
2YellowEuro 4-5 petrol / Euro 5 diesel
3OrangeEuro 2-3 petrol / Euro 4 diesel
4RedEuro 1 petrol / Euro 3 diesel
5GreyPre-Euro petrol / Euro 2 diesel

Crit'Air (France)

Mandatory in French LEZs (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg...). The Stick'Air classification corresponds to the Crit'Air classification.

Cat.ColourVehicles
0GreenElectric, hydrogen
1PurpleEuro 5-6 petrol / Euro 6 diesel
2YellowEuro 4 petrol / Euro 5 diesel
3OrangeEuro 2-3 petrol / Euro 4 diesel
4BurgundyEuro 1 petrol / Euro 3 diesel
5GreyPre-Euro 1 / Euro 2 diesel

Good to know

Stick'Air stickers are recognised in France as Crit'Air equivalents and vice versa. To order your Crit'Air sticker with Swiss plates, visit the official website certificat-air.gouv.fr.

Frequently asked questions

No, the Euro standard is defined during type approval and cannot be changed. However, adding a retrofit particulate filter to an older diesel can sometimes improve the Crit'Air or Stick'Air classification, without changing the official Euro standard.

The emission limits are identical for all Euro 6 variants. The difference lies in the testing methods: Euro 6b uses the old NEDC lab cycle, Euro 6c switches to WLTP (more realistic), Euro 6d-TEMP adds RDE on-road measurements with a conformity factor of 2.1, and Euro 6d tightens this factor to 1.43. In practice, a Euro 6d vehicle emits significantly less pollution in real driving than a Euro 6b.

Currently no, fully electric vehicles have no exhaust emissions and are not classified under Euro 1-6 standards. They receive the best sticker classification (Crit'Air 0 / Stick'Air 0). However, Euro 7 will cover them for the first time: limits on brake particles, tyre abrasion, and battery durability.

The Euro 7 regulation (EU 2024/1257) was adopted in April 2024. It will apply in November 2026 for new type approvals (new models) and in November 2027 for all newly registered vehicles. It maintains Euro 6d exhaust limits but adds standards on brake particles, tyre abrasion, and battery durability.

In 2015, it was revealed that certain manufacturers (VW, Audi...) used software that reduced emissions only during NEDC laboratory tests. On the road, NOx emissions could be 40 times higher. This scandal directly led to the introduction of real-world RDE tests (Euro 6d-TEMP then 6d), making cheating virtually impossible.

There is currently no general ban planned in Switzerland for older diesel vehicles. However, Geneva can restrict Stick'Air categories 4-5 during pollution peaks. Other cantons could adopt similar measures. For trips to France or Germany, a Euro 5 diesel is classified Crit'Air 2, still permitted in most LEZs.

You can estimate the standard from the date of first registration: before 2001 = Euro 2 or below, 2001-2005 = Euro 3, 2006-2010 = Euro 4, 2011-2014 = Euro 5, 2015+ = Euro 6. For the exact variant (6b, 6d...), only the type approval is authoritative. On SwissCarInfo, you can search your vehicle to access this information.

In Switzerland, insurers do not directly base their rates on the Euro standard. However, a newer vehicle (therefore Euro 6) generally costs more for comprehensive insurance as its value is higher. Indirectly, the Euro standard influences the residual value of the vehicle, which may affect the comprehensive premium calculation.

For France: order the Crit'Air sticker at certificat-air.gouv.fr (works with Swiss plates too). For Germany: buy the Umweltplakette (green sticker) at a TUV/DEKRA centre or online. Most Euro 4+ petrol and Euro 4+ diesel vehicles with DPF receive the green sticker. Your Stick'Air sticker is accepted in France as a Crit'Air equivalent.

The Euro standard regulates harmful pollutants (NOx, PM, CO, HC) that affect health. CO2 emissions are a different subject: they concern the greenhouse effect and climate. A vehicle can be Euro 6d (low pollutants) while emitting a lot of CO2 (large engine). Both pieces of information appear in the type approval but are governed by separate regulations.

Check Euro standard

Find the exact Euro standard of your vehicle.

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