The topic of vehicle emissions testing has become a hot discussion among the public. This emission testing is one of the government's efforts to reduce air pollution. Considering that the transportation sector is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the Jakarta and surrounding areas, it is crucial to address this issue. So, what are the regulations for emission testing?

It is still fresh in our memory that in August 2023, air pollution in the Jabodetabek region garnered attention from various sectors of society. Not without reason, this pollution worsened air quality, posing a continuous threat to the residents.

President Joko Widodo gathered relevant ministers, including the Governor of DKI Jakarta, to discuss the chronic air pollution issue. This highlighted the importance of addressing air pollution as a significant problem for the Jabodetabek region.

Ironically, in October, DKI Jakarta ranked fourth in the world for the worst air quality, according to IQAir data with a US AQI of 170. This raised concerns among the public, as respiratory infections, flu, cough, colds, and other symptoms increased with declining air quality.

For instance, cases of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ISPA), according to the Ministry of Health data, were around 50,000 patients before Covid-19. By August 2023, when air quality declined, the number of cases rose to 200,000 patients.

This situation has prompted various parties to be more aware of the importance of improving air quality. Efforts to identify pollution sources in metropolitan areas have been intensified to be addressed effectively.

Motor Vehicles as the Main Cause of Pollution, Emission Testing as a Solution

Recognizing that motor vehicles are a major cause of pollution, reducing emissions from vehicle exhaust through emission testing is a priority and direction given by the President that must be implemented promptly.

Emission testing is a method to assess the performance of the engine and the combustion efficiency in motor vehicles. The testing is conducted in accordance with regulations and laws.

The implementation of emission testing is mandatory for all vehicle owners. The regulations for vehicle emission testing are stipulated in Article 206 of Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Environmental Protection and Management.

The emission standards for tested motor vehicles must comply with the provisions in the Minister of Environment Regulation No. 05 of 2006 regarding the Emission Thresholds for Old Motor Vehicles or refer to specific regulations in each region that govern emission testing.

As an example, Jakarta has enforced mandatory emission testing in the DKI Jakarta area, regulated by Jakarta Governor Regulation No. 66 of 2020 concerning Vehicle Exhaust Emission Testing.

Emission testing is a crucial examination to determine the combustion efficiency of the vehicle engine and the pollutant levels produced. This applies to all types of motor vehicles over three years old in Indonesia. The primary goal is to ensure that vehicles comply with the environmental standards set by the government to enhance air quality.

However, the issue of low emission testing compliance deserves collective attention. Based on the latest data from 2023 collected from ujiemisijakarta.go.id regarding compliance rates in Jakarta, only 3.86% of vehicles in Central Jakarta, 4.72% in East Jakarta, 4.55% in South Jakarta, 7.45% in West Jakarta, and 10.69% in North Jakarta have undergone emission testing.

This article is reprinted from the page info.populix.co.