The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is actively preventing the import of illegal engines into the United States. This initiative aims to safeguard air quality by preventing the entry of engines that do not meet U.S. emission standards.
The primary concern is that these illegally imported engines, often manufactured overseas, bypass U.S. regulations designed to minimize air pollution. Consequently, they pose a threat to efforts promoting cleaner air and environmental health.
Over the past nine months, authorities have seized more than 11,000 illegal engines intended for both gasoline and diesel vehicles. The crackdown also targets the import of substandard automotive parts, which can negatively impact businesses committed to providing high-quality, reliable components to car owners. This number is expected to increase as the initiative continues.
According to Granta Y. Nakayama, former EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assistance, the EPA is committed to enforcing the Clean Air Act and stopping illegal imports. The EPA considers public cooperation crucial in preserving and protecting the nation’s air quality.
The Clean Air Act (CAA), a federal law, mandates that all new gasoline and diesel engines manufactured, distributed, or sold in the U.S. must adhere to EPA standards and requirements.