On January 11, 2018 the Australian government's Department of Environment and Energy, finalized exhaust emissions standards for outdoor power equipment and marine engines. The rule will be implemented as of July 1, 2018, after which time only products that meet the Australian emissions standard, or have an exemption, will be allowed into Australia. After July 1, 2019, only products that meet our emissions standard, or have an exemption, will be allowed to be sold in Australia. The emissions standards apply to new products. They do not apply to engines and equipment people already own, or to second-hand engines and equipment.
NMMA has worked with the Australian government to allow for EPA certified marine engines to be considered compliant with the Australian emission regulations and thus be able to be imported and sold.
The Australian government in its supporting language in the final rule stated: “The US Standard is widely considered to be international best practice. The US Standard has led the world in reducing emissions from propulsion marine engines and non-road engines, and other jurisdictions are moving to align their standards with the US Standard. Canada and California follow the US Standard model. The latest EU standards (recognized in section 26 under which foreign certification is allowed) are harmonised with the current US Standard for exhaust emissions. Thus, aligning the Australian emissions standards for propulsion marine engines and non-road engines with the US exhaust emissions standards will maximize the environmental and health benefits for the Australian community while minimizing compliance costs for businesses.”
This statement supports a very important element of the Australian marine exhaust emissions rule, which, provided an engine is EPA certified and labeled, it can be imported and sold into Australia.
There are cost recovery arrangements for levies on imports to support the program that will commence on July 1, 2018. Levies will be paid by importers and local manufacturers who provide marine engines to Australia. Local manufacture includes the manufacture of engines and does not include the assembly of imported engines into equipment. How these levies are paid and accounted for are questions we still need to understand. NMMA has invited Declan O’Conner Cox, Director of the Australian government's Air Quality Division, to speak at the EMD meeting prior to the Miami International Boat Show on February 14, to discuss these and other details of the rule.
