New standards for off-road small spark-ignition engines under consideration: chapter 1

Background

The Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations (hereinafter referred to as “the Regulations”) came into effect on January 1, 2005. The Regulations introduced exhaust emissions standards to reduce smog-forming emissions from off-road small spark-ignition engines developing no more than 19 kW (25 hp). These engines are typically found in lawn and garden machines, in light-duty industrial machines and in light-duty logging machines. The engines typically use gasoline as fuel, although liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas are also commonly used. 

When the Regulations came into force, the emission standards were aligned with the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) established under Title 40, Part 90 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The U.S. EPA has since introduced new standards under Title 40, Parts 1054 and 1060 of the CFR.