SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today
announced that Husqvarna Professional Products has agreed to a
fine of $1,038,000 for violations of air quality laws related to
the sale of uncertified small off-road engines in California.
In announcing the settlement, ARB enforcement Chief James Ryden
noted that “Husqvarna promptly conducted an internal
investigation and fully cooperated in the resolution of this
matter,” but added that “violations of the basic elements of
California’s anti-pollution requirements, especially
certification of engines prior to sale in our state, have serious
consequences.”
An ARB investigation discovered that over a period of three model
years, spanning from 2011 to 2013, Husqvarna Professional
Products staff failed to obtain certification for nine different
small off-road engine families prior to their sale in
California.These engines powered thousands of hand-held consumer
power products such as line trimmers, leaf blowers and chain
saws.
Husqvarna fully cooperated with ARB in the investigation and
resolution of this matter. Based on the information learned in
its internal investigation, Husqvarna has implemented new
administration procedures related to emissions certification and
has improved management oversight of the process. These actions
help ensure that all future engines are fully compliant with
certification requirements prior to being offered for sale in
California.
California law requires manufacturers to certify compliance of
all new products prior to sale because engines that do not meet
emissions standards pose a real health danger to California
residents. They create higher amounts of smog-forming pollutants,
which can exacerbate respiratory ailments and negatively affect
other health conditions.
Funds collected will be paid to the California Air Pollution
Control Fund, established to decrease air pollution through
education and the advancement and use of cleaner technologies.
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