Amending regulations for off-road small spark-ignition engines: frequently asked questions


Regulations Amending the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations and Other Regulations and Making a Consequential Amendment to Another Regulation

  1. What is the purpose of these regulations?
  2. What are the key elements of these regulations?
  3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?
  4. What is the timeline for implementation?
  5. Where can I get more information?

1. What is the purpose of these regulations?

The operation of small spark-ignition engines (e.g. small gasoline-powered machines) is a significant source of smog-forming air pollutants in Canada. Smog has been identified as a contributing factor in numerous adverse impacts on the health of Canadians including thousands of premature deaths across the country each year, increased hospital visits, as well as lost work and school days. Environmental problems attributed to smog include damage to vegetation and structures, and poor visibility and haze.

The Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations (2003) established emission standards for off-road engines with less than 19 kW output that are typically gasoline-fuelled and found in lawn and garden machines such as hedge trimmers, brush cutters, lawnmowers, garden tractors and snow blowers; in light-duty industrial machines such as generator sets, welders and pressure washers; and in light-duty logging machines such as chainsaws, log splitters and industrial shredders. The Regulations Amending the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations and making a consequential amendment to another regulation (amendments) further strengthen Canada’s smog-forming emission standards for those machines. These more stringent standards are commonly referred to as ‘Phase 3’ emission standards.

2. What are the key elements of these regulations?

Canada’s amendments to the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations introduce more stringent air pollutant emission standards for new small spark-ignition engines in alignment with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards. Key elements include:

3. How do these regulations affect Canadian businesses?

Persons, companies or businesses that have to conform to the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations are those who:

4. What is the timeline for implementation?

The amendments, made under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, come into force on March 22, 2018.

5. Where can I get more information?

The following links provide additional information and guidance on the parent regulations and these amendments:

For more information and to receive email notifications of updates regarding Environment and Climate Change Canada’s actions on vehicles and engines, please contact Environment and Climate Change Canada at: ec.infovehiculeetmoteur-vehicleandengineinfo.ec@canada.ca

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and consulting with Canadians websites.

Note

This document is intended to provide contextual information on the Regulations Amending the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations and making a consequential amendment to another regulation. It does not replace the Canadian Environmental Protection Act or the Regulations Amending the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations and making a consequential amendment to another regulation. In the event of any discrepancies, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Regulations Amending the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations and making a consequential amendment to another regulation, shall prevail.

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