The Administrative Regulation that sets the limits of emission of gas pollutants was published on 6^th February and will take effect on 17^th February. This regulation sets the regime to which new motorcycles and "ciclomotores" with internal combustion engine must comply with the limits of emission of gas pollutants, when being imported. The Environment Council with IACM presented an explanatory press section about the procedures of this regulation on 15^th February.

    Due to the fact that the transport sector is one of the Macao Special Administrative Region main sources of emission of atmospheric pollutants, the Government of MSAR decided to set a series of strategies over past years so as to improve air quality by optimizing fuels such as the introduction of unleaded petrol. In 2006, it promulgated the Executive Order no. 4/2006, which modifies the maximum sulphur content for commercial diesel in MSAR from 0.05% (defined by Executive Order no. 49/2000) to 0.005% by weight. In the meantime, Macao started importing natural gas, a cleaner and more favourable energy in 2008.

    On the other hand, the government has also been gradually developing standards that limit vehicles emissions, including the regulation that sets the limits of emission of gas pollutants from vehicles. According to a previous study, it has been reviewed that hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides from heavy and light motorcycles are one of the main sources, affecting the air quality and residents' health, as well as producing greenhouse gases. This is the reason why the published Administrative Regulation sets limits of emission of gas pollutants for new imported motorcycles so as to follow international directives on emissions, setting limits to pollutants and reducing impacts on environment.

    The new regulation imposes limits to two and three wheel motorcycles and is part of the policy address for improving air quality and supporting future implementation of Kyoto Protocol in Macao of this year.