California Environmental Labels

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires manufacturers to apply an environmental label to new outboard engines and personal watercraft, starting in model year 2001. The main purpose of the labels is to help consumers choose clean engine technology when making purchasing decisions. California emission regulations are stricter than EPA regulations. They feature 3 levels of "clean" low emission product. See the descriptions below.

Mercury Outboards feature more three-star products than any other marine outboard manufacturer.

Mercury - More Power. More Performance. Cleaner Engines.

One Star - Low Emission
The one-star label identifies engines that meet the CARB's 2001 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards have 75% lower emissions than conventional carbureted 2-stroke engines. These engines are equivalent to the U.S. EPA's 2006 standards for marine engines.

Two Stars - Very Low Emission
The two-star label identifies engines that meet the CARB's 2004 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards have 20% lower emissions than One Star - Low Emission engines.

Three Stars - Ultra Low Emission
The three-star label identifies engines that meet the CARB's 2008 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards have 65% lower emissions than One Star - Low Emission engines.