The Product Emissions Standards Act 2017 (the Act) allows the Minister for the Environment to make Rules that set mandatory emissions standards for products and detail the administrative arrangements for regulating those products.
The Product Emissions Standards Rules 2017 (the Rules) set emissions standards for outdoor power equipment and marine engines, referred to as ‘emissions-controlled products’.
A factsheet containing information for retailers of emissions-controlled products can be found here:
Emissions-controlled products
Emissions-controlled products covered by the standards are defined as:
- new spark-ignition engines with a maximum power of 19 kW or less used in household and commercial operations, including: lawn mowers, ride-on mowers, mulchers, brush or line cutters, generators, pumps, chainsaws and auxiliary engines on boats such as generators and pumps
- new spark-ignition engines used in marine vessels, including outboard engines, personal watercraft and sterndrive or inboard engines.
For a list of products covered by the standards visit Product emissions standards
What are your legal obligations?
- ensure all emissions-controlled products sold or supplied in Australia comply with and carry either Australian certification or internationally recognised certification from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, Environment and Climate Change Canada or a member state of the European Union
- ensure all emissions-controlled products sold or supplied in Australia are correctly labelled
- ensure you keep sufficient records. These will generally align with the records you keep for tax and/or product warranty purposes. You will also need the certification information of the products you supply, which you can request from your importer.
The types of penalties that could apply if you do not comply with the emissions standards include infringement notices (fines), injunctions, and forfeiture of products.
For more information on how the product emissions standards may apply to you:
- visit Product emissions standards
- email ProductEmissions.Environment@dcceew.gov.au
- phone 1800 920 528.