EPA to issue new round of emission requirements for outdoor equipment

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue Phase 3 emission standards for new nonroad spark ignition engines later this month that will further reduce emissions and include some key requests from OPEI.

Products with non-road spark ignition engines include lawnmowers, garden tractors, utility vehicles, trimmers, edgers, chain saws, snow throwers, tillers, leaf blowers and other related products.

The new EPA Phase 3 Regulations include the following provisions:

• An additional 35% reduction in exhaust emissions and a 45% reduction in total evaporative emissions beginning in 2009 and fully implemented by 2015.
• Stronger EPA enforcement authority to prevent importation and retail of non-compliant equipment, with safeguards to assure equal compliance for U.S. and off-shore manufacturers.
• Ability to certify engines on E10 fuel, ensuring products can operate more efficiently using fuels currently in the marketplace.