EPA fines companies for non-compliant motorcycle, ATV imports

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined two Texas importers and four Chinese manufacturers for non-compliance.

   The Environmental Protection Agency said two Texas-based companies — Jonway Motorcycle (USA) Co. and Shenke USA — and four manufacturers in China violated the Clean Air Act by importing and selling more than 11,000 motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles that did not meet the agency’s emissions certification.
   The four Chinese companies were Jonway Group Co., Shanghai Shenke Motorcycle Co., Zhejiang JMStar Shenke Motorcycle Co., and Zhejiang Jonway Motorcycle Manufacturing Co.
   The EPA assessed a $1,258,582 civil penalty against the companies for the violations.
   “EPA’s vehicle certification regulations are an important way we help reduce air pollution and protect public health,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, in a statement. “Failing to provide honest and accurate information to EPA compromises our ability to protect clean air for Americans.”
   The Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to certify to EPA that their products will meet applicable federal emission standards to control air pollution, and every vehicle sold in the United States must be covered by an EPA-issued certificate of conformity. To obtain the certificates, manufacturers or importers must submit an application to EPA that describes the engine or vehicle, including its emission control system. The application must also provide emissions data demonstrating that the engines and vehicles will meet applicable federal emission standards.
   Through inspections of imported vehicles at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and Nitro Powersports, a vehicle retailer in Carrollton, Texas, EPA discovered that Jonway and Shenke imported 11,043 non-compliant highway motorcycles and 226 ATVs beginning in model year 2009. The companies illegally imported and distributed more than 80 models of un-certified vehicles, which were available for purchase across the United States, the agency said.