In the EU, ATVs and SbS can be homologated under the type-approval framework for two- or three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles (L-category Regulation No 168/2013), or under the type-approval framework for agricultural and forestry vehicles (T-category Regulation No 167/2013).
These Regulations, which began to apply on 1 January 2016, set specific construction, safety and emission requirements, and are complemented by secondary laws which specify the technical requirements.
ATVs and SbS intended only for private land can also be put on the market under the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and its successor, the EU Machinery Regulation, which applies from 20 January 2027 (Regulation 2023/1230).
Mother Regulation:
Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles
Delegated & Implementing Regulations:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 134/2014 with regard to environmental and propulsion unit performance requirements (REPPR)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 44/2014 with regard to the vehicle construction and general requirements (RVCR)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014 with regard to vehicle functional safety requirements (RVFSR)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 901/2014 with regard to the administrative requirements (RAR)
Commission Directive 2013/60/EU amending Directive 97/24/EC, Directive 2002/24/EC and Directive 2009/67/EC (Euro 3)
Mother-Regulation:
Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 February 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles
Delegated & Implementing Regulations:
Regulation (EU) 167/2013 is complemented by 4 delegated regulations and one implementing regulation:
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/96 with regard to environmental and propulsion performance requirements of agricultural and forestry vehicles (REPPR)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1322/2014 with regard to the vehicle construction and general requirements for the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles (RVCR)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/208 with regard to vehicle functional safety requirements for the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles (RVFSR)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/68 with regard to vehicle braking requirements for the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles (RVBR)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/504 with regard to the administrative requirements for the approval and market surveillance of agricultural or forestry vehicles (RAR)
ATVs and Side-by-Sides which are intended to be used only on private land and not on the roads, and which therefore do not need to be registered, or do not fall within L-category and T-category Regulations, are subject to the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), unless they are exclusively intended for competition.
From 20 January 2027, this Directive (2006/42/EC) is replaced by the EU Machinery Regulation (2023/1230)
The files can be found here:
• Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
• Machinery Directive Application Guide (latest version)
• Machinery Regulation 2023/1230
Directive 97/68/EC has long been the cornerstone of EU rules on tailpipe emissions from non‑road mobile machinery (NRMM)—covering a wide range of internal combustion engines used in countless industrial and commercial machines. Over time, this framework evolved through six amendments, reflecting technological progress and the EU’s growing ambition on air quality.
However, the directive left one important gap:
Spark‑ignition engines above 19 kW, which power most ATVs and Side‑by‑Sides (SbS), were not covered.
To close this loophole, the European Commission proposed a major revision on 25 September 2014. Following negotiations, the updated legislation was adopted on 14 September 2016 and became applicable on 1 January 2017.
This modernised framework replaces the patchwork of earlier directives with a more coherent and future‑proof system:
Directive 97/68/EC (consolidated) – the original legal basis for NRMM emission rules, harmonising member state legislation on gaseous and particulate pollutant emissions.
Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 – the new, comprehensive regulation defining emission limits and type‑approval requirements for internal combustion engines used in NRMM.
Together, they ensure stricter environmental performance, clearer compliance procedures, and a fully harmonised EU approach to NRMM emissions.
ATVEA also plays an active role in European standardisation, working closely with CEN as a Liaison Organization. In this context, ATVEA contributes expertise to CEN/TC 354, the Technical Committee responsible for:
“Ride-on, motorized vehicles intended for the transportation of persons and goods and not intended for use on public roads – Safety requirements.”
One of ATVEA’s key contributions has been to the development of the European Standard EN 15997:20, which sets out the safety requirements and test methods for All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs – Quads).
This standard was drafted under a mandate from the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Importantly, compliance with EN 15997:20 provides manufacturers with a presumption of conformity with the EU Machinery Directive, helping streamline compliance and strengthen safety across the sector.
