The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc.

User's Guide
To Low Emission Engines

The outdoor power equipment industry has developed new, improved technologies that significantly reduce engine emissions from gasoline-powered lawn and garden products.
New engines of 25 horsepower or less are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to comply with federal emission standards.
Besides running cleaner, new low emission engines are generally more durable and more fuel efficient.
Since 1990, the outdoor power equipment industry has invested millions of dollars in research and development, engineering, manufacturing and human resources to develop new technologies that enable today's small engines to run significantly cleaner.
Engine manufacturers have improved emission control techniques in the following engine component areas:
- Carburetion, where CO and hydrocarbons (HC) have been reduced.
- Combustion Chamber, where surface areas have been minimized to help reduce (HC) emissions.
- Oil Control has been improved to reduce oil burning in the combustion chamber, resulting in reduced HC emissions.
These new redesigned engines more than fully comply with the EPA's Phase II regulation for hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions.
The research and development leading to these technological improvements have increased prices. However, because these new engines are used on a wide variety of outdoor power equipment, these cost increases will vary. The increased engine costs will be at least partially offset by improvements in fuel economy.
Owners can still perform manufacturer-recommended maintenance, and should refer to their owner's engine manual for specific guidelines. For complex problems, contact a servicing dealer.

Equipment powered by gasoline engines, on average, now run 70 percent cleaner than 1990 models

Improvements in engine performance represent a giant step forward and illustrate the willingness for engine manufacturers and the outdoor power equipment industry to make the quality of life better for all.

According to OPEI, the industry has developed new technologies, such as the overhead valve engine, and improved old technologies to reduce emissions significantly. And the new cleaner engines now on the market are more than fully compliant with EPA Phase II regulations.

The outdoor power equipment you purchase today will be 70 percent cleaner than before. This is the result of extensive research and development by environmentally sensitive manufacturers in the outdoor power equipment industry.

OPEI and the EPA, along with other interested parties, have worked together to develop reasonable and responsible federal regulations that have resulted significantly lower levels of air-polluting emissions from small gasoline engines.

All new equipment currently on the market is equipped with engines that meet and significantly exceed the EPA's Phase II regulations.

Remember: new and improved equipment may cost more but has several benefits:

It is more fuel efficient
It is more durable
It is environmentally responsible

When you purchase new outdoor power equipment, look for engines with a label that reads: "This engine conforms to (model year) US EPA regulations for small non-road engines." If the engine is obscured, the label will be found on the equipment itself. The label assures you that the engine meets the EPA's Phase II regulations and offers substantial reductions in emissions, compared to earlier models.

Another thing to be aware of are the regulations developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). These regulations, similar in scope to those of the EPA, apply specifically apply to California. It is illegal to retail non-compliant California products into California.

How to reduce emissions from lawnmowers

First, replace all your older pre-regulated or EPA Phase I lawn cutting equipment with new EMP Phase II equipment.

Second, avoid gas spillage and the resulting fuel evaporation. Spillage and evaporation of fuel is a significant contributor to hydrocarbon (HC) emissions.