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.
The Product Emissions Standards Rules 2017 took a phased approach to the European emissions standards for non-road products, following the European Union transition from Euro Stage II to Euro Stage V standards. Euro Stage II certified products could be imported into Australia until 1 July 2020, and supplied in Australia until 1 July 2021.
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
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.