J. J. Keller® Compliance Network Logo
Start Experiencing Compliance Network for Free!
Update to Professional Trial!

Be Part of the Ultimate Safety & Compliance Community

Trending news, knowledge-building content, and more – all personalized to you!

Already have an account?
FREE TRIAL UPGRADE!
Thank you for investing in EnvironmentalHazmat related content. Click 'UPGRADE' to continue.
CANCEL
YOU'RE ALL SET!
Enjoy your limited-time access to the Compliance Network!
A confirmation welcome email has been sent to your email address from ComplianceNetwork@t.jjkellercompliancenetwork.com. Please check your spam/junk folder if you can't find it in your inbox.
YOU'RE ALL SET!
Thank you for your interest in EnvironmentalHazmat related content.
WHOOPS!
You've reached your limit of free access, if you'd like more info, please contact us at 800-327-6868.
Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards Program
  • The Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards program is part of a comprehensive approach to reducing the impacts of motor vehicles on air quality and public health.
  • The EPA offers many diesel emission reduction programs that apply to diesel vehicles, vessels, locomotives, or other diesel equipment.
  • Each vehicle and engine must have a label stating which emission standard it was built under.

The 2017 Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards program is part of a comprehensive approach to reducing the impacts of motor vehicles on air quality and public health. The program considers the vehicle and its fuel as an integrated system, setting vehicle emissions standards and a gasoline sulfur standard. The vehicle emissions standards will reduce both tailpipe and evaporative emissions from passenger cars, light-duty trucks, medium-duty passenger vehicles, and some heavy-duty vehicles. The gasoline sulfur standard creates more stringent vehicle emissions standards and helps emissions control systems be more effective.

Emission standards — Diesel fuel

In addition to regulations on newly manufactured engines, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has devised a number of emissions reduction strategies for diesel engines. The National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC) partners the EPA with manufacturers, fleet operators, air quality professionals, environmental and community groups, and state and local governments to reduce diesel emissions. The EPA also offers many diesel emission reduction programs that apply to diesel vehicles, vessels, locomotives, or other diesel equipment. Strategies to help older diesel engines operate more cleanly include:

  • Install diesel retrofit devices with verified technologies;
  • Maintain, repair, rebuild, repower engines;
  • Replace older vehicles and equipment;
  • Improve operational strategies; and
  • Use cleaner fuels including natural gas and propane.

Funding may be available through the EPA to develop diesel emission reduction programs. National programs that may help with funding and technical expertise include:

  • The National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, and
  • The EPA’s SmartWay program.

The EPA’s emission standards for engines are issued based on the date of engine manufacture. As an example: If the date of manufacture was before 2004, the engine would have to meet the standards that were in place at the time of manufacture (the 1998 standards).

The vehicle can be upgraded to a later standard, but it cannot be allowed to fall below the standards that were in effect on the date of manufacture. It is a violation of federal law to tamper with or remove any emissions components.

The vehicle is subject to inspection and testing to verify that it is complying with the emission standards that were in effect at the time of manufacture. If the vehicle has been altered or cannot pass an emissions test due to alteration or lack of proper maintenance, the company can be fined.

Labeling requirements

Each vehicle and engine must have a label stating which emission standard the vehicle/engine was built under. It is a federal requirement (and a state requirement in many states) that these labels be present on the vehicle.

If the label is missing (most commonly a problem with engines), locate the engine identification number and contact the engine manufacturer for a new label. It may be a good idea to add this to the company’s annual or quarterly inspections.

As well as the federal emission standards, there are state requirements. California is seen as the leader in the emissions area, having tougher standards in some areas than the EPA. Most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been designing their vehicles and engines to meet the California Air Resource Board (CARB) standards, as well as the EPA standards.