Environment Canada are seeking input on potential amendments to the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). The amendments under consideration are intended to maintain alignment of Canadian standards and test procedures for controlling emissions of smog-forming air pollutants with those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Background
The Government recognizes that the combustion of fossil fuels to power on road and off-road vehicles and engines is an important contributor to air pollution. Within this context, the Canadian Government has introduced regulations to control air pollutant emissions from:
- on-road vehicles and engines (i.e., such as passenger cars and trucks, motorcycles, buses and transport type vehicles including those powered by diesel engines),
- off-road small spark-ignition engines (i.e., such as those used in lawn, garden, light-duty industrial and light-duty logging machines),
- off-road compression-ignition engines (i.e., diesel engines such as those used in construction, mining, farming and forestry machines), and
- off-road recreational vehicles, marine engines and vessels (i.e., such as snowmobiles, off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, outboard engines, and personal watercraft).
Consultation
Through this consultation, Environment Canada is providing stakeholders an early opportunity to provide comments on potential changes designed to carry out the Government’s plans to amend the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations in order to maintain alignment with more stringent Phase 3 U.S. federal standards for small off-road gasoline engines, as described in more detail in the attached discussion document.
Your comments would be appreciated on any issues associated with the amendments being considered before proceeding with the pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I. The pre-publication will be followed by a 75-day formal consultation period, during which, interested parties will have another opportunity to make written comments specific to the proposal.
For more details on the regulations to which modifications are being considered, please consult the following links:
Please submit any comments on the attached discussion document by mail or email before September 14, 2012, to:
Josée Lavergne
josee.lavergne@ ec.gc.ca