ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade
association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and
utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, issues the following
statement on today's announcement by the Federal Trade Commission
on fuel pump labeling of ethanol content of gasoline.
Kris Kiser, president and CEO of
OPEI said, "We appreciate efforts by the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) to regulate and manage the rapidly-changing fuels
marketplace, requiring that gas pumps be labeled with percentage of
gasoline and percentage of ethanol added. However, the agency
didn't go far enough. We fear consumers will remain confused and
inadvertently misfuel their small engine equipment, in
particular."
The new rule issued by the FTC requires ethanol blended fuels be
labeled at the gas pump as: "Use Only in Flex-Fuel Vehicles/May
Harm Other Engines."
Yet, consumer surveys conducted in April and May 2015, found
that Americans do not pay much attention to labels at the pump.
Less than one quarter (23 percent) stated that they notice the
ethanol content on the fuel pump. Less than half (47 percent) of
Americans admitted they check the fuel pump for any warning labels
when fueling up their cars at gas stations.
OPEI reminds consumers to continue to be vigilant and pay
attention at the gas pump, especially when buying fuel for any
outdoor power equipment or small engine product, as the ever
changing and expanding fuel marketplace offers more choices at the
gas pump - such as E15, E20, E30 and E85.
"This is a wake-up call for Americans. It is more important than
ever, for consumers to pay attention at the gas pump. You must put
the right fuel, in the right product. We would like for labels to
get more attention from consumers and for EPA or the FTC to commit
funding to educate consumers about proper fuel usage," Kiser
said.
According to most engine manufacturers, fuels containing greater
than ten percent ethanol can damage or destroy outdoor power
equipment, including lawn mowers, chain saws, generators, utility
vehicles and other small engine equipment such as motorcycle, snow
mobile and boat engines. Fuels containing more than 10 percent may
void product warranties, and by Federal law, it is illegal to use
higher ethanol fuel blends, specifically E15, in outdoor power
equipment.
Consumers and the media can get more information on fueling
small engine equipment properly at
www.LookBeforeYouPump.com.
About OPEI
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international
trade association representing more than 100 power equipment,
engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. OPEI is the
advocacy voice of the industry, and a recognized Standards
Development Organization for the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the
International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and
performance standards. OPEI is managing partner of GIE+EXPO, the
industry's annual international trade show, and the creative force
behind the environmental education program, TurfMutt.com.
OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues, including
recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across the
Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.opei.org.
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Media contacts
Ami
Neiberger-Miller, Four Leaf PR on behalf of OPEI,
703-887-4877, ami@fourleafpr.com
Suzanne Henry, Four Leaf PR on
behalf of OPEI, 434-989-2108, suzanne@fourleafpr.com
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outdoor-power-equipment-institute-issues-statement-on-ftc-ruling-on-ethanol-labeling-on-gas-pumps-reminds-consumers-to-look-before-you-pump-300204704.html
SOURCE Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)