EPA finalizes GHG standards for certain new commercial airplanes

In Washington, D.C., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized greenhouse gas emission standards that apply to certain new commercial airplanes, including all large passenger jets. These standards match the international airplane CO2 standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2017.

This action implements EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act and maintains the worldwide acceptance of U.S. manufactured airplanes and airplane engines. Typically, three out of four aircraft manufactured in the U.S. are sold overseas. These standards will help ensure consistent standards across the world, and allow U.S. manufactured planes, such as commercial and large passenger jets, to continue to compete in the global marketplace.

Many airplanes manufactured by U.S. companies met the ICAO standards at the time of their adoption in 2017, and already meet the standards contained in this action. Based on the manufacturers’ expectation that the ICAO standards will be implemented globally, EPA anticipates nearly all affected airplanes to be compliant by the effective dates for new type designs and for in-production airplanes.