New exhaust-emissions standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will take effect in 2011 or 2012, depending on the size of the engine. The EPA has finalized its emissions-control program to reduce hydrocarbon emissions from small spark-ignition engines — such as those on many commercial mowers — by about 35 percent.
The final rule also includes standards to reduce evaporative emissions from these fuel systems. These standards aim to reduce the harmful health effects of ozone and carbon monoxide from these engines.
The EPA — www.epa.gov/oms/equip-ld.htm — provides user information, regulations, guidance, and compliance fee and certification data for 10 categories of non-road, spark-ignition engines, ranging from lawn and garden equipment to airport service equipment.
For more information about EPA's emissions standards, see its Fact Sheet: Final Emission Standards for New Nonroad Spark-ignition.
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