Emissions standards exist as part of a national framework to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Emissions standards are important as they impact the environment and the quality of the air we breathe. Air quality can have temporary and lasting impacts on our health.
Importers and suppliers play a critical role in maintaining Australia’s air quality. This can be done through checking certification, ensuring correct labelling, and only sourcing compliant products. Importing approved products enables consumers to make environmentally responsible purchases supporting Australia’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Products covered by the standards
Emissions-Controlled Products (ECPs) are:
- new, complete non-road spark-ignition engines with maximum engine power of 19 kilowatts or less
- new, complete spark-ignition propulsion marine engines of any power capacity.
Examples of products that are ECPs include but are not limited to:
- Air compressor
- Brick elevator
- Cherry picker/scissor lift
- Concrete grinder
- Concrete mixer
- Firefighting/water pump generator
- Go kart
- Lawn aerator/corer
- Leaf/garden vacuum (walk behind)
- Log splitter
- Mini loader
- Mulcher/chipper
- Pitch roller
- Plate compactor
- Pressure cleaner
- Push mower
- Ride-on mower
- Rotary hoe
- Slasher (ride-on)
- Snow blower
- Stump grinder
- Brick/concrete saw
- Concrete vibrator/deaerator
- Engines for non-road equipment
- Garden edger
- Hammer drill
- Hedge trimmer
- Jackhammer
- Leaf/vacuum blower
- Posthole borer/auger
- Powered broom
- Trowel machine (concrete)
- Whipper snipper/line trimmer
- Inboard engine
- Jet boat engine
- Outboard engine
- Personal watercraft
- Sterndrive engine
- Water scooter
To learn more see Product Emissions Standards fact sheet.
Knowing your obligations
Before importing or supplying ECPs, you must ensure the products meet the requirements set out in the Product Emissions Standards Rules 2017 (the Rules). This includes checking the products are certified by a recognised authority, correctly labelled, and you maintain necessary records.
There are important details to consider when importing or supplying ECPs in Australia.
Equipment classified as an ECP must have either:
- an Australian emissions certificate, or
- an emissions certificate from one of the following recognised foreign regulatory authorities:
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- Californian Air Resources Board (CARB)
- a member state of the European Union (EU Stage V)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada.
To learn more see Product Emissions Standards Certification.
All ECPs must display a label that meets strict requirements under the Rules. The label must:
- be durable and legible for the life of the product
- not removable without being destroyed or defaced
- be affixed to the product and easily visible
- not be placed on a component that is likely to be replaced during the product’s life
- be in English.
To learn more see product emissions standards marking requirements.
If you import, supply or manufacture ECPs during a financial year you will need to keep the following records for 5 years:
- details and quantities of the products you have imported or supplied
- who supplied the products to you and the name of the person who you sold the product
- the purchase price of the product excluding GST
- Australian or foreign certificate of conformity
- if applicable the exemption number and the conditions to which the exemption was granted.
Understanding penalties
Importers, suppliers and manufacturers are legally responsible under the Product Emissions Standards Act 2017 (the Act) and the Rules for ensuring ECPs meet all emissions, certification, marking, and record-keeping requirements. Customs brokers can assist with importation, but compliance with the Act is your responsibility.
The types of penalties that could apply if you do not comply with the emissions standards include infringement notices (fines), injunctions, and forfeiture of products.
To learn more see complying with the Product Emissions Standards.
Contact us
- Email ProductEmissions.environment@dcceew.gov.au
- Phone 1800 976 422