CARB Issues Costly

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Compliance is costly.

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) estimates that CARB rules could cost the industry $1 billion over the next decade, accelerating layoffs and pushing more manufacturing overseas, according to a statement released by OPEI.

In a prior testimony and an Oct. 17 letter to the California EPA, OPEI urged CARB to limit regulatory programs to products sold and used only in California and to work with independent national fire and safety organizations to perform a safety study to address unresolved concerns. OPEI submitted another letter to the California EPA on Oct. 25 reiterating these points.

Meanwhile, OPEI voiced its disappointment in CARB’s drafted regulations, which the association says does not address its concerns. Furthermore, drafted regulations do not limit the program to products sold and used in California. If these regulations become de facto national standards through state opt in, the industry could take a financial hit, according to OPEI.