From 1 July 2020, Euro Stage II certified products can no longer be imported into Australia under the transitional arrangements that commenced on 1 July 2018. For further information, refer to product emissions standards frequently asked questions.
Australia has emissions standards for outdoor power equipment and marine engines. These products include:
- new spark-ignition engines with a maximum power of 19 kilowatts, or 25.5 horsepower. This includes lawn mowers, ride-on mowers, mulchers, leaf blowers, generators, pumps, chain saws, and other small handheld or pushed/pulled equipment.
- new spark-ignition engines used in marine vessels. This includes outboard engines, personal watercraft and stern-drive engines.
These products can be used in household and commercial operations. A wide range of low-emitting products are already available in Australia.
The engine is subject to the emissions standards whether imported as a stand-alone engine or fitted within the products or equipment. Although these engines are generally used in outdoor power equipment and marine vessels, they may also operate in indoor products, such as floor polishers. These products may also be subject to the emissions standards.
Key information and dates
The emissions standards apply to new products. They do not apply to products people already own, or to second-hand engines and equipment.
Products must be certified and labelled to either the Australian standards or one of the recognised foreign standards.
Since 1 July 2018, only products that meet our emissions standards, or have an exemption, are allowed into Australia. Products manufactured in Australia must also meet the standards or have an exemption.
Since 1 July 2020, only products that meet our emissions standards, or have an exemption, can be supplied in Australia. Since this date, European-certified non-road products imported into Australia must meet Euro Stage V standards.
Euro Stage II certified products that were imported prior to 1 July 2020 can continue to be supplied in Australia up until 30 June 2021, after which only products with Euro Stage V certification can be supplied.
Importers, suppliers and retailers must keep records for 5 years.
Importers who import more than the low levy threshold will pay an annual levy.
Learn more about how the standards may affect you
- Information for importers and manufacturers
- Information for retailers
- Complying with the Product Emissions Standards
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Cost recovery and the annual levy
The Cost Recovery Implementation Statement provides information on how the department implements cost recovery for the emissions standards.
Cost recovery arrangements for the emissions standards consist of fees and levies designed in accordance with the Australian Government Charging Framework and Cost Recovery Guidelines.
Fees for applications for Australian certification or exemptions commenced on 11 January 2018. Application fees are paid by the individual or organisation making the application.
The cost recovery arrangements for levies commenced on 1 July 2018. Levies are paid by importers and local manufacturers who introduce new outdoor power equipment and marine engines to Australia. Local manufacture means the manufacture of engines and does not include the assembly of imported engines into equipment.
About the levy
The levy is charged at 0.45% of the value of products manufactured or imported, by a manufacturer or importer, and is only payable if more than $32,000 worth of products are manufactured or imported in a financial year. The levy is also subject to a high value threshold of $20,000, which means that no more than $90 is payable for the manufacture or import of any one item, even if the total value of the item is more than $20,000. Examples for each are described below.
Low levy threshold example
Threshold: $32,000 worth of products imported in one financial year.
- If a manufacturer manufactures $40,000 worth of products over one financial year, the manufacturer would be over the low levy threshold bringing their manufacture levy liability to $180, i.e. 0.45% of $40,000.
- If a manufacturer manufactures $29,000 worth of products over one financial year, the manufacturer would not be liable to pay the levy as they are below the low levy threshold of $32,000.
High value item example
Threshold: $20,000 per item.
- If an importer imports one $50,000 product (including the engine) over one financial year, only $20,000 of its value is used to calculate the levy liability. As $20,000 is under the low levy threshold of $32,000, the importer would not need to pay a levy.
- If an importer imports five products each worth $50,000, only $20,000 from the value for each product would be levied so the total levy would be $450, i.e. 0.45% of $100,000.
Administration of the emissions standards
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is responsible for administering the Act and the Rules. The department is responsible for monitoring, compliance, assessing applications and education and communication activities.
The Product Emissions Standards Operations Plan outlines the strategic objective and the operating environment of the department to ensure effective delivery and administration of the emissions standards.
The department has a suite of compliance and enforcement powers under the Product Emissions Standards Act 2017, and the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014. These Acts:
- establish offences and civil penalty provisions relating to import, supply, labelling and record keeping
- enable sharing of information with other agencies and the publication of certain information relating to emissions-controlled products.