The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has adopted a diesel particulate matter control measure intended to reduce the emissions of 'on-road heavy-duty residential and commercial solid waste collection vehicles'.

The regulation, which requires retrofitting of rubbish trucks to reduce diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions, is expected to produce a reduction of up to 85 per cent in emissions from local fleets.

Covering engines built between 1960 and 2006 the schedule will become enforceable from 2004 onwards, continuing through to 2011.

Under the terms of the new regulations the 'best available control technology' must be implemented according to a specified schedule.

The regulation applies to disposal truck owners, as well as to municipalities that contract waste collection services.

The 'garbage truck rule', as it is known, is a part of the California Diesel Risk Reduction Program, which aims at reducing statewide diesel PM emissions by 75 per cent.

The move follows the imposition of similar standards for school and transit bus fleets.