Confirmatory Testing for Small Spark-Ignition (SI) and Compression-Ignition (CI) Engines

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Below are the steps for confirmatory testing for small spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engines at EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL). Upon receipt of a test order from EPA, please follow the steps below as you prepare to respond.

Test Engine
Test Data
Test Process

Test Engine

Identify the engine you will send to EPA.
If desired test the engine at your facility prior to shipment.
For information on shipping schedules, contact Bruce Sdunek (sdunek.bruce@epa.gov) or at 734-214-4733.
For questions regarding engine test setup, contact Robert Caldwell (caldwell.robert@epa.gov) or at 734-214-4564.
Ship the engine in c/o Robert Caldwell to:

EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
2565 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105

Test Data

EPA must receive the initial test setup documents prior to installation of the test engine in the test cell at NVFEL. Test setup documents must be sent to EPA electronically through EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX) using the Verify information system. (The CDX is the single point of entry on the Environmental Information Exchange Network (Exchange Network) for data submissions to EPA). Before a company can send electronic files to the Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division the company's manufacturer code must be entered in Verify and accounts for the company's submitters must be created.

Obtain a manufacturer code and/or register that code in Verify.
Establish CDX user accounts for everyone that will be submitting data to EPA.
(Note: Under the Compliance Module section of the User Information Spreadsheet users who will be submitting confirmatory test files must check Upload Compliance Documents.)

The CDX Upload Instructions for Nonroad Engine Manufacturers (PDF) (10 pp, 1.3MB, EPA420-B-08-010, April 2008) provide information on the steps to be followed for data submittal after the company's CDX account is established and ready for use. The following test setup documents list the information EPA requires to run the tests:

SI setup documents
- Small SI Test Document (PDF) (2 pp, 50K, EPA-420-B-09-003, February 2009), and the
- Small SI Confirmatory Test Engine Information (XLS) (2 pp, 67K, for spreadsheet files you may need MS Excel reader ).
CI setup documents
- Heavy-Duty Engine Setup Requirements (PDF) (10 pp, 1.3MB, EPA-420-B-10-004, February 2010), and the
- Heavy-Duty Test Engine Information (XLS) (2 pp, 100K, EPA-420-B-10-005, February 2010) (for spreadsheet files you may need MS Excel reader ).

After the submitter’s account is created and the user is logged into CDX, upload the Engine Test Set Up documents by selecting the Verify Upload Documents option. The official EPA test results will be sent to the user's MyCDX inbox.

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Test Process

Upon arrival at NVFEL, the engine will be added to the queue for testing.
EPA will notify the engine manufacturer approximately two weeks prior to the start of testing.
Manufacturers must inform EPA if they plan to attend the test setup. Small SI manufacturers must notify Julia Giuliano (giuliano.julia@epa.gov) and Bruce Sdunek (sdunek.bruce@epa.gov); CI manufacturers must notify Jay Smith (smith.jay@epa.gov). Manufacturers may send up to three representatives to NVFEL for the start of testing to review the engine setup and confirm engine operation. The testing procedure is provided in the process flow chart (PDF) (1 pg, 15K).
Manufacturers are not permitted to observe the testing.
Manufacturers will be notified upon completion of a valid confirmatory test and allowed to review the draft emissions test report on the first day of testing.
Should a manufacturer wish to make mechanical repairs to the engine, that will be permitted on the second day.
Any changes made to the engine must be documented and provided in writing or electronically to EPA certification personnel at the time of testing.
The final results provided through CDX will serve as the official test results.