Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) is a broad category which includes mobile machines, and transportable industrial equipment or vehicles which are fitted with an internal combustion engine and not intended for transporting goods or passengers on roads.
NRMM, particularly from the construction sector, is a significant contributor to London’s air pollution. The NRMM Low Emission Zone uses the Mayor and London Borough’s planning powers to control emissions from NRMM used on construction sites.
In a similar way to the Ultra Low Emission Zone the NRMM Low Emission Zone requires that all engines with a power rating between 37 kW and 560 kW meet an emission standard based on the engine emission “stage”.
The standards that need to be met depend on where the construction site is:
The current standards are stage IV for construction machinery operating in the Central Activities Zone and Opportunity Areas (including Canary Wharf) and stage IIIB in the rest of London.
Stages IIIB and IV have not been defined for machines with constant speed engines, such as generators. This means that these machines will need to meet stage V.
Stage IV has also not been directly defined for variable speed engines smaller than 56 kW. In most cases these engines will need to meet stage V if they are in the Central Activities Zone and Opportunity Areas (OAs).
Development zones map
All machinery in the Central Activities Zone and Opportunity Areas, including Canary Wharf, (shown in orange) should meet at least stage IV.
You can find more detail about London’s Opportunity Areas on our Opportunity Areas webpage.
All machinery on sites in the rest of London (shown in blue) should meet at least stage IIIB.
When you are registering a new site, you will be able to drop a pin on the site location to identify which zone your site is in.
Future changes to the standards
The standards for the NRMM Low Emission Zone will get progressively tighter over time:
- From 1 January 2025 the standards will be stage IV throughout London
- From 1 of January 2030 the standards will be stage V throughout London
- From 1 of January 2040 only zero emission machinery will be allowed.
NRMM Register
Most sites where the NRMM Low Emission Zone applies will be required to log all machinery online using this register.
The register is also the only way that site operators can obtain an exemption or approval to use retrofitted or specialist equipment.
If you are a new user you will need to create an account before you can start using the site.
If you are an existing user you can use your account to register a new site, register machinery on an existing site or accept an invitation to register machinery at someone else’s site.
If you are a local authority/enforcement officer who would like access to the NRMM Register, please use the webform below.
Guidance for site operators
A detailed guide for site operators, including how to find out the engine stage for each machine and tips on how to make sure your site is compliant can be found in the NRMM practical guide downloadable using the link below. Please note this practical guide is due to be updated shortly.
5.52 MB
Compliance by Retrofit
If your machine does not meet the emissions standard for the site you intend to use it on you can retrofit additional pollution control equipment as an alternative to replacing the machine or the engine.
There are a variety of retrofit systems available and some are more effective than others. To ensure the systems fitted are suitable for the NRMM Low Emission Zone we will only accept retrofits listed on the Energy Saving Trust website.
Download NRMM LEZ Exemption and Retrofit Policy – Update June 2020
Exemptions
In limited circumstances we can issue exemptions for individual machines that do not meet the standards and have not been retrofitted. Evidence must be provided when applying for an exemption. The full exemption policy is available for download above.
