Engines that are being sold in Canada must comply with the new emission laws introduced by the government. For more information on these regulations as they pertain to the small-engines used in lawn care, please refer to the following website:

Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/c-15.31/SOR-2003-355/68373.html

For the Guidance Document that includes information on these regulations that is easy to understand, please visit the following website:

• http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/documents/regs/ssi_guid/toc.cfm

Summary of The Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations

• the purpose is to align Canada’s environmental laws with those of the United States
• the engines affected are those that
• operate under characteristics significantly similar to the theoretical Otto combustion cycle;
• use spark plugs or other sparking devices; and
• do not develop more than 19 kW of power
• these engines typically use gasoline, and include lawn and garden tractors (hedge trimmers, brush cutters, lawnmowers, garden tractors, snowblowers, etc.); light-duty industrial machines (generator sets, welders, pressure washers, etc.); and light-duty logging machines (chainsaws, log splitters, shredders, etc.).
• the regulations apply to engines that are manufactured in Canada, transported within Canada, and imported to Canada
• the regulations come into force as of January 1, 2005, and apply to all 2005 and later model year engines
• engines that are manufactured in Canada and transported within Canada are required to have the national emissions mark displayed in a prominent spot. The use of this mark denotes compliance with the Regulations. Imported engines are not required to have the national emissions mark because they must already conform to the necessary Regulations for them to be allowed into Canada.
• USEFUL LIFE: an engine must conform to the exhaust emission standards throughout its “useful life”