Engine Emissions Regulations Library > Engine emissions regulations
Home	Products	Service	Library	Contact	Links	Sign in	Search

Diesel engines in most developed countries are subject to emissions regulations.

Canada
Canadian Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations mirror the US EPA regulations. Engine manufactured after January 1, 2006 must meet EPA Tier 2 or 3 (see chart) to be imported or sold in Canada.

Canada also has Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations for engines with these power ratings:

Canada accepts US EPA compliance stickers on engines.

Non-compliant engines can be imported and sold in Canada under only two circumstances:
— replacement engines manufactured exclusively to replace an existing engine in a machine for which no current model year engine with the necessary physical and performance characteristics exists. The existing engine must be the same tier as the replacement engine, and the engine core must be returned to the engine manufacturer.
— transition engines that correspond to the flexibility provisions, available under the U.S. EPA standards, for machine manufacturers to continue using an earlier engine specification where changes to accommodate a new technology engine would be difficult.

Off-road diesel engines excluded from the Regulations:
— engines designed exclusively for competition
— engines designed to be used exclusively in underground mines (which are subject to much stricter regulations)
— engines with a per-cylinder displacement of less than 50 cubic centimetres
— engines designed to be used in military machines designed for use in combat or combat support
— engines that are being exported
— engines installed in marine vessels

USA
The US Clean Air Act is administered by the EPA and US Customs. The EPA regulations include self-propelled non-road applications and portable applications. In general, a portable application is used in one place for less than 12 months. Portable generator sets are included in the regulations, as are most other items Frontier manufactures and sells, including power units, pump units and light towers

Engines need US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documentation to enter the USA. Engines require a clearly visible EPA sticker (or if there is no EPA sticker, a letter from the engine manufacturer stating that the engine conforms to all EPA requirements) and form 3520-21. The importer needs to keep this completed form on file for 5 years.

• EPA Form 3520-21(PDF) is a declaration form used to import all types of nonroad engines and heavy-duty highway engines into the United States. This form also applies for engines already installed in vehicles or equipment. "US EPA engine declaration form: importation of engines, vehicles, and equipment subject to federal air pollution regulations"

For more information:

• US EPA: Imports of Vehicles, Engines and Equipment information page
• click here for the February 2000 EPA Enforcement Alert newsletter explaining the regulations, documentation requirements, and penalties.
• US EPA, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Nonroad Engines page
• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Title 40 regulations

The importer of record is responsible for understanding and complying with EPA regulations.

Here are the criteria from the April 2006 EPA form 3520-21 that allow engines to enter the USA:

• 1. US certified engine or engine installed in a certified vehicle, covered by a valid US EPA certificate of conformity and bearing a US EPA emission control label in English.
• 2. National security. Imported by an equipment manufacturer.
• 3. Manufacturer-owned engine. Imported by an engine manufacturer for pre-certification testing.
• 4. Replacement engine. Must be a certificate holder for an engine family that the EPA regulates under the same part as the replacement engine
• 5. Extraordinary cirumstances/hardship. EPA letter of approval required.
• 6. Hardship for small volume manufacturers. EPA letter of approval required.
• 7. Equipment manufacturer hardship. EPA letter of approval required.
• 8. Identical configuration. Must be the same as an EPA certified engine, with letter from manufacturer on file with Customs. You must own the engine before and after importation.
• 9. Ancient engine. Engine must be 21 years old. (Time for a new engine?)
  
  Temporary exemptions:
• 10. Repairs or alterations. Bond required. Must be exported once repaired.
• 11. Testing. Bond required. Must be exported within 1 year.
• 12. Display, usually at a trade show. Engine must be exported within 1 year, extension available to 3 years.
• 13. For export to a non-regulated country. Engine and shipping container must be labelled "for export only"
• 14. Diplomatic or military. Need confirmation from State Dept or US military.
• 15. Delegated assembly. US OEMs can import an engine that will be in certified configuration once it is installed in the OEMs product.
• 16. Incomplete engines. Needs EPA certificate, or will be installed in an application not yet covered by EPA emission standards.
  
  Engines not yet subject to EPA emission standards:
• 17. Used engine manufactured before emission standards started to apply.
  • <19kw/25hp, manufactured before January 1, 2000, or <19kW/25hp and per-cylinder displacement less than 50 cc.
  • >=19kW/25hp and <37kW/50hp, manufactured before January 1, 1999
  • >=37kW/50hp and <75kW/100hp, manufactured before January 1, 1998
  • >=75kW/100hp and <130kW/175hp, manufactured before January 1, 1997
  • >=130kW/175hp and <560kW/750hp, manufactured before January 1, 1996
  • 560kW/750hp, manufactured before January 1, 2000
  • recreational marine diesel below 2.5 litres per cylinder, manufactured before 2006 model year
  • recreational vehicle manufactured before 2007 model year
• 18. Sterndrive/inboard marine engine, spark ignition only.
• 19. Competition engine. EPA letter of approval required.
• 20. Stationary engine. The engine must be used for a stationary purpose and remain at a single site at a building, structure, facility or installation for more than 12 consecutive months throughout its lifetime, or remain at a seasonal source during its full annual operating period. The engine must be labelled according to 40 CFR 1039.20. Penalties: Any person who circumvents or attempts to circumvent stationary engine residence time requirements may be fined up to $32,500 per day of violation. (Serious, aren't they?)
• 21. Underground mining. These engines are regulated by Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
• 22. Spark-ignition hobby engine. For powering scale models too small to transport a person. We like this idea--engines as a hobby.
• 23. Compression ignition hobby engines. Below 50 cc per cylinder. (A hobby engine is the perfect gift for that hard-to-please individual. Gift wrapping available.)
  
  Specific engine categories and other special cases
• 24. Transition program for equipment manufacturers. EPA letter of approval required.
• 25. Personal-use exemption for small spark-ignition engines. <19 kW, not for resale, no more than 3 engines per lifetime.
• 26. Engines imported by an Independent Commercial Importer recognized by the EPA. EPA letter of approval required.
• 27. Other exemption. Do your homework, find another exemption, and identify the regulation number on the form.

Feedback | Print | Home | Products | Service | Library | Contact | Links | Sign in | Search