The Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Assn. (PGMA) has shared testimony with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), voicing concerns over the agency’s newly proposed rule that would further impose additional CO emissions requirements on portable generators. PGMA strongly opposes such measures, since such changes would put consumers at risk of unintended safety hazards, such as fires and unavailability of product. Testing concludes that the CPSC’s rule changes could force portable generators’ exhaust temperatures to exceed 1000° Fahrenheit—extreme temperatures that would likely cause house fires and threaten owners’ safety.

The association asserts: “The CPSC’s proposal to add unnecessary regulatory requirements will lead to higher costs for consumers and create unintended consequences of more safety concerns of fires and burns, as we do not believe that the CPSC has adequately evaluated the safety hazards of their newly proposed rule.”

PGMA further noted that the proposed emissions changes would increase portable generator ownership costs, making it more difficult for those most needing generators in emergencies to be able to afford them.

Currently, there are millions of generators in the market that comply with a voluntary safety standard, ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 (G300), which is an accredited American National Standards Institute standard. G300 is a comprehensive standard for generator safety that helps address carbon monoxide safety concerns from misuse through a CO detection and automatic shutoff feature. Through third-party analysis from Exponent, Inc., generators that comply with G300 prevent over 98% of fatalities from misuse of portable generators. There are currently over 300 portable generator models across 35 brands with this CO shut-off technology, nearly 3 million units having shipped from PGMA member manufacturers alone.

Susan Orenga, Executive Director, PGMA, comments, “The CPSC’s proposed regulation would also create a shortage of essential portable generators during regional and national emergencies because it will prevent the sale of portable generators that are currently available on the market. Furthermore, the timing of the CPSC’s proposed changes are particularly concerning, given repeated warnings that two thirds of North America is currently facing an energy shortfall this summer during periods of high demand.”

Orenga notes that the portable generator industry is dedicated to safety, working with CPSC and others, and has demonstrated this through PGMA’s focus on standards development and compliance, and its “Take it Outside” safety awareness campaign.

PGMA is urging consumers and organizations that rely on portable generators to contact their congressional representatives and the CPSC to advocate for no government mandate on industry and to continue support of industry’s work on the G300 standard.

Formed in 2009, PGMA members include major manufacturers of portable generators sold in North America and a significant majority of the industry, including: American Honda Motor Co., Champion Power Equipment, DuroMax Power Equipment, Firman Power Equipment, Generac Power Systems, Harbor Freight Tools U.S.A., Inc., JD North America, Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A., and associate members, Figaro U.S.A., Inc., GenTent Safety Canopies, and Nemoto Sensor Engineering.