Important update on the Marine Engine Emission Standards

Earlier this year, the Department of the Environment announced that July 1, 2018, would be the date to start new emission standards for non-road spark ignition engines and equipment (NRSIEE) — which includes all marine engines — with an extended transition of the full implementation of the regulations through to July 2019. What does this mean?

In general, four-stroke and direct-injection two-stroke engines will
be used to meet the new emission standards for marine engines. Outboards and
non-handheld equipment currently using conventional (carby) two-stroke engines
are unlikely to meet the requirements of the new emission standards.

The bottom line is that manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of NRSIEE aren't allowed to import new carby two-stroke engines after July 1, 2018. They must then ensure that they do not have any unsold
non-compliant stock in their possession by July 1, 2019. This means an end to the retail sale of new carby two-stroke engines after July 1, 2019.

The Australian emission standards will not be retrospective and will
only apply to new NRSIEE products brought to Australia or supplied
within Australia, not to those that people already own.

In addition, the value of second-hand carby engines is likely to drop following their ban. As these old-tech outboards are phased out, trade-in values will likely fall, too. So perhaps you should think about upgrading to a four stroke or direct-injection two stroke sooner rather than later.

"We welcome the certainty this decision provides for our members who are now able to plan new product development with a clear understanding how future regulation and standards will impact their products and businesses," BIA National CEO Howard Glenn said.

"We’re very pleased that the Department has been able to provide a long phase-in period, allowing industry to ensure any non-compliant product stocks they hold have been appropriately cleared."

EVAPORATIVE STANDARDS IN DISCUSSION
The BIA also said the decision not to include evaporative emission standards (at this time), which were to influence the way boats and their fuel systems were built, was appreciated. The BIA will undertake further consultation to ensure boat manufacturers are represented in these consultations and to get agreement on the new standards as soon as possible.

"The boating industry and boaters themselves are very protective of the marine environment and play a big role in maintaining the quality of our waterways. These standards are a small but important contribution to continuous improvement in environmental management," Mr Glenn said.

POLLUTION OBJECTIVE
The Department says its key objective is to reduce air pollution from petrol-powered gardening equipment, generators, pumps and marine engines, which are said to be high polluters relative to their size and contribute significantly to outdoor air pollution. Operated in close proximity, users are also subjected to high levels of pollutants, it says.

A small carby two-stroke engine used for one hour can emit the same emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) as a car, and as much hydrocarbons as 150 cars, when operated over the same period.

Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of NRSIEE products will bring their product lines into compliance with the new exhaust emission standards. There is less than one year from now until non-compliant NRSIEE can no longer be brought into Australia.

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-Full details of the standards to be introduced are available at the Department’s dedicated webpage at
www.environment.gov.au/protection/air-quality/publications/working-towards-australian-emission-standards-nrsiee-update-paper.