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United States Air and Radiation EPA 420-F-97-001 

Environmental Protection MARCH 1997 

Agency 

Office of Mobile Sources 

Regulatory Announcement/ 

Update 

Nonroad Phase 2 Small Spark-Ignited 

Engines Advance Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking 

In the past year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed 

two joint Statements of Principle (SOP) with several interested parties 

concerning the control of air pollution from nonroad small spark-ignited 

engines. EPA is now taking the next step in the process toward implementing 

this program by publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and the 

text of the two SOPs for public review and comment. 

History of the Statements of Principles 

In July 1995, EPA finalized the first phase of national regulations to control 

emissions from spark-ignited (SI) engines at or below 19 kilowatts (or 25 horsepower). This regulation, referred to as “Phase 1,” takes effect beginning in the 

1997 model year. 

In May of 1996, EPA and several other interested parties signed a SOP which 

will form the basis of a “Phase 2” proposed rule for nonroad small SI handheld 

engines. Typical examples of equipment using handheld engines are: brush 

cutters, chain saws, leaf blowers, and string trimmers. A summary of the 

handheld SOP can be found in EPA Fact Sheet EPA420-F-96-001, Statement of 

Principles for Small Handheld Gasoline Engines. 

In December of 1996, EPA and engine manufacturers signed a SOP which will 

form the basis of a Phase 2 proposed rule for nonroad small SI nonhandheld 

engines. Typical examples of equipment using nonhandheld engines are: walkbehind lawn mowers, generators, garden tractors, and commercial turf mowers. 

A summary of the nonhandheld SOP can be found in EPA Fact Sheet EPA420-F97-002, Statement of Principles for Small Nonhandheld Spark-ignited Engines. 

Printed on Recycled Paper 
EPA Seeks Public Input 

EPA is now taking the next step towards the implementation of a Phase 2 regulation by publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) 

which contains the text of both SOPs. The ANPRM solicits public input regarding both SOPs and other Phase 2 related issues. Comments on the ANPRM will 

be accepted until 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. These comments will be helpful in developing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), 

to be published in the fall of 1997. The NPRM will provide detailed discussions 

of the program provisions being proposed, as well as analysis of environmental 

benefits and economic impacts. 

Document Availability 

The ANPRM will be available in the Federal Register upon publication. It will 

also be available from the EPA Air and Radiation Docket by calling 202-260­

7548; please refer to docket number A-96-55. 

In addition, the ANPRM is available electronically via the EPA Internet server 

and via dial-up modem on the Technology Transfer Network (TTN), which is an 

electronic bulletin board system (BBS) operated by EPA’s Office of Air Quality 

Planning and Standards. 

World Wide Web: http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW 

TTN BBS: 919-541-5742 (1200-14400 bps, no parity, 8 data bits, 

1 stop bit); voice helpline: 919-541-5384 

For More Information 

For more information on this rulemaking, please call the Office of Mobile 

Sources at 313-668-4344 or write to: 

US Environmental Protection Agency 

National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory 

Small Spark-Ignition Engine Phase 2 Team 

Engine Programs and Compliance Division 

2565 Plymouth Road 

Ann Arbor, MI 48105 

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