The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in coordination with several AEM member companies, issued a position paper conveying recommendations and outlining policy solutions for policymakers as they work to develop future rulemakings impacting emissions or future engine technologies.

The paper, entitled "Clean Air and Low Emissions through Next-Gen Nonroad Equipment” also details the position of AEM and its members that future regulations should support a reasonable transition to cleaner equipment.

“AEM and its members have aggressive sustainability goals that include a desire to improve air quality and reduce the impact of climate change, said AEM Vice President of Construction & Utility John Somers. “For decades, manufacturers have invested time, effort and resources into supporting engine emissions reductions updates. Now, the association and its members want to leverage our considerable experience and expertise to inform regulatory efforts happening both now and in the future.”

Engine emissions regulations are among the most important and impactful requirements placed on the nonroad equipment sector, affecting everything from performance, research and development (R&D), design, safety and cost. The most recent Tier 4 update drove significant equipment changes, including modernized electronic engines and aftertreatment for many power categories.

As detailed in the newly released position paper, AEM and its members recommend the following to policymakers as they consider future regulations affecting emissions or engine technologies:

• Consider how the cost effectiveness of new requirements will influence the adoption of new products in the marketplace.
• Consider the impact of new regulations on various equipment types, including smaller and low-volume equipment.
• Drive emissions reductions by avoiding overly prescribed regulatory requirements that neglect new processes and technologies that contribute to the whole emissions reduction picture.
• Create purchase incentives for end-users to accelerate the market adoption of new equipment and technology, as well as provide credits to manufacturers for developing new emission reduction technologies.
• Establish regulatory approaches that ensure collaboration in the development of harmonized engine emissions regulations.
• Provide five years of lead time and a regulatory transition program for equipment manufacturers when introducing a new technology-forcing emissions standard.
• Implement technology-neutral, performance-based standards, and avoid overly stringent requirements that will compromise engine capabilities, fuel economy and equipment productivity.
• Set standards that do not require engine system packaging and installation changes in order to avoid costly equipment redesign and impact equipment safety features.

“The last round of engine emissions regulations taught AEM and equipment manufacturers many valuable lessons, including the inherent cost and complexity of transitioning an entire industry to a new emissions Tier, as well as the value that time and customer feedback can provide manufacturers and regulatory officials,” said Somers. “Based on those lessons, along with its knowledge of the way work is done now and will be done in the future, AEM is well-equipped to take a leadership role in communicating the position of the association and its members regarding future rulemakings.”

AEM’s Safety & Product Leadership Department, in conjunction with AEM’s Ag and CE Sector teams, work to address ever-increasing global demands on equipment manufacturers to develop machines that are safe, productive and compliant. Through its many safety, environmental and global compliance activities and programs, AEM helps ensure its members maintain and grow market access. To learn more, visit aem.org/safety-product-leadership.

For more information on the "Clean Air and Low Emissions through Next-Gen Nonroad Equipment” position paper, contact AEM’s John Somers at jsomers@aem.org. For information on AEM’s Engine Emissions Technical Committee, which will be engaging with various government agencies and rulemaking activities on the topic, contact AEM’s Jason Malcore at jmalcore@aem.org.

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