Small Engine Emissions and Certification Testing

Emission research and development services for the small offroad engine (SORE) industry

The Intertek Carnot facility tests small engines for emission exhaust certification. The SORE industry produces exhaust emissions that are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB). Reductions of SORE exhaust emissions require extensive engine research, development, testing, durability, and certification services.

The small offroad engine industry includes gasoline, liquified-petroleum gas (LPG), or natural gas (NG) powered, two or four stroke, water or air-cooled, and vertical or horizontal shaft engines. These small engines are used for lawn and garden equipment, hedgers, vibratory packers, lawn or garden tractors, snow throwers, chainsaws, tillers, weed trimmers, pressure washers and agricultural equipment. 

Intertek Carnot also tests the emissions for other equipment like synchronous speed engines in electrical generators.

Intertek primarily conducts engine testing and emission certification on equipment having a rated power below 37 kW (50 hp); however higher engine power capabilities and other resources are available. Besides SORE equipment, Intertek conducts small engine research and development equipment testing on marine stern-drive and ski inboard (SD/I), outboard, and personal watercraft, along with forklifts, all-terrain vehicles, and other applications.

Small spark-ignition engines are regulated by 40 CFR Part 90, "Control of Emissions from Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines at or below 19 kW." Bigger spark-ignition engines are regulated by 40 CFR Part 1048, "Control of Emissions from New, Large Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines." This includes special provisions for engines under 1000 cc. Nonroad diesel engines under 37 kW are regulated by 40 CFR Part 89, "Control of Emission from New and In-Use Nonroad Compression-Ignition Engines."

Depending on applicable federal or state requirements, other procedures like 40 CFR Part 86 Subpart I may also be required for compression-ignited engines.