Explanation of CARB standards

Boat engine emissions standards in Canada

The boating industry is regulated by several government organizations, each applying their own set of standards to engine emissions. The most environmentally proactive standards come from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Enacted in 2001, the CARB standards apply to all new outboard engines and PWCs sold in the state of California. 

Each engine is given a star rating from one to three, with three indicating ultra-low emissions, two indicating very low emissions, and one indicating low emissions. While CARB doesn’t require owners of engines made before 2001 to retrofit, it provides boaters with a reliable method to judge their environmental impact. 

In Canada, where most of the engines we buy are designed or manufactured south of the border, emissions standards are modelled on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. The EPA standards are not currently as environmentally stringent as CARB, although the EPA has recently proposed new regulations for small engines that aim to meet the CARB guidelines by 2009. 

For more information on CARB star ratings, click here.