Tohatsu Australia News

An emission rating system will be introduced 1st January 2007 to help boat owners choose outboard engines based on emission rating along with other features required to meet their usage requirements.

In a world first, the Outboard Engine Distributors Association of Australia (OEDA) announced at the Brisbane International Boat Show a Voluntary Emissions Labelling Scheme (VELS).

The voluntary code will be based on international emission regulations and is supported by the major outboard engine distributors including Evinrude, Honda, Johnson, Mercury, Suzuki, Tohatsu and Yamaha.

Under the code, engines would have recognisable external labels that would identify the emission rating of the product. 

The aim of the uniform labelling scheme is to assist the consumer to make better informed choices at point of purchase.The star rating system will be as follows:
Zero Star    – High Emissions – Generally smaller 2-Stroke Outboards
One Star      – Low Emissions – Most 2-Stroke Outboards
Two Star     - Very Low Emissions – Some 2-Stroke DFI and 4-Strokes Outboards
Three Star   - Ultra Low Emissions – Most 2-Stroke DFT and 4-Stroke Outboards
Four Star     - Super Ultra Low Emissions – For future Technology
The scheme is based on world standards and in particular the US EPA scheme.