Regulations now being developed by the EPA in the US and EC in Canada will bring cleaner lawn and garden equipment to market within a few years.

The Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations establish emission standards for small spark-ignition engines rated up to 19 kW (25 hp) typically found in gasoline-fuelled  lawn and garden machines, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, lawnmowers, garden tractors, snow blowers, etc. and in light-duty machines such as chainsaws, log splitters, shredders, etc.

EPA has finalized a new emission control program to reduce hydrocarbon emissions from small spark-ignition engines by about 35 percent. The new exhaust emissions standards will take effect in 2011 or 2012, depending on the size of the engine. The final rule also includes new standards to reduce evaporative emissions from these fuel systems. These standards will reduce the harmful health effects of ozone and carbon monoxide from these engines.

It is estimated that by 2030, the new standards will result in significant annual reductions of pollutant emissions from regulated engine and equipment sources nationwide, including approximately 600,000 tons of volatile organic hydrocarbon emissions, 130,000 tons of NOx emissions, and 5,500 tons of direct particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions. 

These reductions correspond to significant reductions in the formation of ground-level ozone and ambient PM2.5.  It is also expected that there will result annual reductions of 1.5 million tons of carbon monoxide emissions, with the greatest reductions in situations where there have been problems with individual exposures. 

This rule will result in substantial benefits to public health and welfare and the environment.  It is further estimated that by 2030, on an annual basis, these emission reductions will prevent 230 PM-related premature deaths, between 77 and 350 ozone-related premature deaths, approximately 1,700 hospitalizations and emergency room visits, 23,000 work days lost, 180,000 lost school days, 590,000 acute respiratory symptoms, and other quantifiable benefits every year. 

The total estimated annual benefits of this rule in 2030 are approximately between $1.6 and $4.4 billion.  Estimated costs in 2030 are many times less, at approximately $190 million.

For more information, simply search the Small Spark Engine Regulations online for consumer information, regulations, guidance, and compliance and certification data for ten categories of nonroad spark-ignition engines, ranging from lawn and garden equipment through airport service equipment. Meanwhile, consumers can make a difference by adopting practices that will help protect the environment now and in the future.