Title
LTO Rules on Vehicle Emission Certificates
Law
Lto Memorandum Circular No. Ahs-2008-954
Decision Date
Mar 19, 2008
The LTO Memorandum Circular mandates the use of the Certificate of Conformity (COC) for new motor vehicles and the Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (CCES) for rebuilt or used imported vehicles, ensuring compliance with emission standards prior to registration.

Certificate of Conformity (COC) Issuance and Definition

  • Issued by DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau.
  • Certifies a motor vehicle type's compliance with numerical emission standards.
  • Compliance is based on relevant ECE test procedures or their DENR-approved equivalents.
  • Mandatory before initial registration of new motor vehicles.
  • New motor vehicle definition: constructed entirely from new parts, never previously sold or registered in the Philippines or abroad.

Coverage of the COC

  • Applies to new motor vehicles that are:
    • Designed and manufactured domestically with new engines and parts.
    • Assembled domestically from completely knocked down (CKD) kits using original, new parts.
    • Completely built-up (CBU) units imported into the country.

Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standard (CCES) Issuance and Purpose

  • Issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications via LTO regional offices.
  • Applies to:
    • Rebuilt or second-hand/used imported motor vehicles for initial registration.
    • Pre-registered vehicles retrofitted with second-hand engines for registration renewal.
  • Certifies compliance to emission standards.

Validity and Duration of CCES

  • Valid for 60 days or until expiration of prerequisite documents:
    • Certificate of Emission Compliance (for private emission testing centers).
    • Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) where Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) is applied.

CCES Exclusions Based on Executive Order No. 156

  • Does not cover used imported vehicles prohibited by EO No. 156, which restricts importation of used vehicles except:
    1. Privately owned vehicles of returning residents under No-Dollar Importation Program (resale prohibited for 3 years).
    2. Vehicles for diplomatic corps officials authorized by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
    3. Trucks (other than pick-ups) and buses with GVW not less than 2.5 tons, with those between 2.5 and 12 tons requiring import authority from DTI.
    4. Special purpose vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances, and hearses eligible under Commonwealth Act 4136.

Emission Standards Reference

  • The memorandum attaches emission standards for ready reference, mandating strict compliance.

Enforcement

  • The circular is issued for information and strict enforcement by concerned authorities and stakeholders.

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