boatbuilders

Comprehensive rulemaking affects all sectors of marine manufacturing

CHICAGO, April 18, 2007 – Yesterday afternoon, April 17, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a proposed rule that, once finalized, will result in the largest regulatory action in the history of the recreational marine industry. The EPA rule, titled “Control of Emissions from Non-road Spark Ignition Engines and Equipment,” impacts boatbuilders, gasoline engine manufacturers (both outboard and inboard/sterndrive) and manufacturers of marine generators. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is encouraging its members to submit comments to EPA on its proposal by the August 3 deadline.

Boat, engine manufacturers and dealers should note responsibilities under new requirements

CHICAGO, Monday, March 12, 2007 – Beginning January 1, 2008, the State of California will introduce a new, more stringent set of exhaust emission regulations for sterndrive and inboard (SD/I) gasoline marine engines, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is encouraging all parties in the SD/I distribution channel—including boatbuilders, engine manufacturers and boat and engine retailers—to understand their individual responsibilities and liabilities associated with the ruling.

“Unlike previously enacted outboard engine and personal watercraft emission regulations, which placed the compliance burden exclusively on marine engine manufacturers, the compliance burden and liability for the SD/I regulation will be shared between the dealer, boatbuilder and engine maker,” says John McKnight, NMMA director of Environmental Safety and Compliance. “That said, it’s critical each party understand its role and know the required steps in order to comply with the ruling.”