Automotive Emissions - The Brazilian Control Program

The fast and continuous urbanization trend observed in Brazil since the early 1960's associated with a chronic lack of adequate mass transport systems and increasing individual motorization has led the major cities to traffic congestion and motor vehicle air pollution.

In an effort to address this problem, the Federal Government, through the National Environment Council (Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente - CONAMA), approved on May 6th, 1986, the Resolution n° 18, which establishes nationwide the automotive emissions control program named PROCONVE. This paper outlines the most important points of the program, discusses its feasibility and presents the first achievements.