What are Bharat Emission Standards?

Bharat Emission Standards define the permissible limits of air pollutants which can be emitted by internal combustion engines. If the limit is exceeded then their clearance to be sold in the market is blocked. These have been formulated by the Central Pollution Control Board which is a part of the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change.

It was in 1991, that vehicle emission norms were introduced in India for petrol vehicles and for diesel vehicles in 1992. It was since 2000, that in India Euro norms have been followed by four-wheelers under the name of Bharat Stage Emission Standards. Bharat Stage III norms have been under operation all over India since October 2010 while in 13 major cities BS-IV norms have also been enforced.

The rise in emission norms leads to an obvious rise in prices of vehicles as the manufacturing costs go up. The quality of fuel also has a significant influence on meeting the emission standards.