How to Identify the National Emission Standard of a Vehicle?
2 Answers
Methods to identify the national emission standard of a vehicle: 1. Check the vehicle's environmental protection compliance label or the first page of the vehicle certification; 2. Search online for 'motor vehicle environmental protection' and visit the relevant website for inquiries; 3. The owner can take the vehicle's registration certificate (a photocopy is acceptable) to the environmental protection window at the vehicle management office for inquiry; 4. Estimate the vehicle's emission standard based on the production year: Vehicles produced after September 2009 are National Standard 4 (NS4), those produced between July 2007 and September 2009 are National Standard 3 (NS3), and those produced between July 2004 and July 2007 are National Standard 2 (NS2). Vehicle emission standards regulate the permissible levels of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, including CO (carbon monoxide), HC+Nox (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides), and PM (particulate matter, soot).
I usually check the emission standard directly through the vehicle's nameplate. That small plate is typically located in the engine compartment or on the door frame—just look for the national standard code starting with 'GB' and you'll understand. The environmental label pasted on the upper right corner of the windshield will also indicate the emission standard, though some cities have phased it out. For older cars without the label, you'll need to verify the information on the duplicate of the vehicle registration certificate. Cars manufactured in different years correspond to different emission standards—for example, China 5 (CN5) generally applies to vehicles produced from 2017 onward, while earlier models are mostly China 4 (CN4). The most reliable method is to log in to the local environmental protection bureau's official website and enter the license plate number for verification.
