Kiran Negi

In today’s environmentally conscious world, understanding emissions labels is no longer optional. Whether you’re buying a car, selecting home appliances, or choosing everyday products, emissions labels are your guide to making eco-friendly decisions.

But decoding these labels can often feel like deciphering a foreign language. That’s where this 3-step framework comes in. Let’s simplify the process and empower you to make informed choices for a sustainable future.

Step 1: Understand the basics of emissions stages and tiers

Emissions standards are designed to reduce harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) from diesel engines. Depending on the region and regulatory body, these standards are broken down into different stages or tiers.

Europe: Uses “Stages” (Stage I to Stage V).

United States: Uses “Tiers” (Tier 1 to Tier 4).

The stages and tiers represent varying levels of strictness in emissions control. As the numbers increase, the regulations become more stringent. For example, a Stage IV engine in Europe or a Tier 4 Final engine in the United States is designed to emit considerably less than a Stage II or Tier 2 engine.

Now that you know the basics of tiers and stages, let’s break down what’s on an emissions label. Here’s what you’ll typically find:

Manufacturer information: Tells you who made the engine or machine.

Emissions stage/tier: Usually listed as “Stage IV” or “Tier 4 Final.” This is your quick reference to how the machine meets emissions standards.

Engine family: A code identifying a group of engines with similar emissions characteristics.

Displacement and power: Engine size and power output, are often related to emissions levels.

Emissions control technologies: Labels often specify if technologies like SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) or DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) are used. Click here for a list and description of the technology acronyms

Example: Let’s say you’re looking at the emissions label on a Caterpillar C7.1 engine. It reads “Tier 4 Final, 7.1L displacement, 200 kW power, equipped with DOC and SCR.”

Grasping the concept is one aspect, but the real magic lies in applying that knowledge.

Whether on a sales call, in the field, or while managing a fleet, understanding the effects of emissions standards on machinery performance can be transformative.

For sales professionals: Turn emissions compliance into a selling point. A Tier 4 Final or Stage V machine may have a higher upfront cost. But it will often have better fuel efficiency and may meet the latest regulations, saving the customer money in the long run. Plus, it future-proofs their investment.

Understanding and explaining emissions labels can give you the upper hand in any situation.