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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT INSTITUTE (OPEI) APPROVES INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION FOR LEAF BLOWER SOUND REQUIREMENTS

Alexandria, Virginia (February 2000) -- The Board of Directors of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) unanimously approved the addition of leaf blowers to the OPEI's third party certification program of related products. Effective dates and related administrative matters will be forthcoming.

The impetus for Board action was a lack of consumer credibility on leaf blower sound level labeling, especially in California where this issue is under study by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Under OPEI's program, leaf blowers will be inspected by the U.S. Testing Company for manufacturers' conformance to the current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard applicable to leaf blowers (B175.2). If inspected products conform, the manufacturer can identify the product with an OPEI certification seal which currently is displayed on other OPE products such as lawn mowers, snow throwers, etc.

"The major purpose of the action," according to Dave Zerfoss, OPEI Chairman and President of Husqvarna Forest and Garden Company, "is to ensure that the customer is purchasing the product he is paying for in terms of noise levels."

In addition to this major action, OPEI is committed to work with other industry parties to education consumers and other users on the proper use of leaf blowers. Mr. Zerfoss stated that the program will be initiated as soon as possible, but the integrity of the program remains top priority.

OPEI is a trade association whose membership is primarily composed of U.S. manufacturers of powered lawn and garden maintenance products, components and attachment supplies, as well as industry-related services. OPEI's domestic members manufacture in excess of 95% of the U.S. consumer retail market for gas and electric powered lawn and garden maintenance products.

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