China: Small Spark Ignited Engines

Regulatory Background

Stage I and Stage II emission requirements for small spark ignition (SSI) engines were published in December 2010 (GB26133-2010) [3963][3964][3967]. The standards apply to spark ignition engines with a net power ≤19 kW for use in nonroad mobile machinery such as lawn mowers, chain saws, generators, water pumps or brush cutters. Engines with a net power greater than 19 kW but a working volume of no more than 1 L may be certified as well. The standards do not apply to engines for driving boats; for underground mining or underground mining quipment; for emergency rescue equipment; for recreational vehicles such as sleds, motocross and all-terrain vehicles; and engines built for export.

The application dates are as follows:

• Stage I: New types/all new non-handheld and hand-held engines 2011.03/2012.03, respectively.
• Stage II:
  • New types/all new non-handheld engines 2013.01/2014.01.
  • New types/all new hand-held engines 2015.01/2016.01, respectively.

Testing is in accordance with ISO 8178 (GB/T 8190.4). Emission requirements are based on EU Directive 97/68/EC and its amendments found in 2002/88/EC as well as US EPA Phase 1 and 2 regulations (40 CFR Part 90).

Engines are classified according to displacement volume as shown in Table 1.

Emission Standards

Stage I limits are shown in Table 2 and Stage II limits in Table 3. Durability requirements are shown in Table 4. Two-stroke engines for snow blowers, whether or not they are hand-held, only need to meet the SH1, SH2 or SH3 of the corresponding working volume. For natural gas-fueled engines, NMHC may be used instead of HC.