Canada signs temporary order to align with US emissions standards

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an interim order that will maintain alignment with US EPA emissions standards covering medium- and heavy-duty diesel engines for the 2027 model year (MY).

Signed in October by Canada’s Environment minister, Julie Dabrusin, the order modifies how vehicle emissions regulations are read to match the changes in the US framework.

The orders are put in place when US rule changes mean Canada falls out of step with those regulations. Alignment with the EPA is already part of Canada’s on-road emissions regulations.

For example, a 2027 MY heavy-duty engine completed before December 20, 2026 can be certified to either previous or current US standards.

Engines completed after that same date must be compliant with US-issued NOx standards and other emissions regulations.

These include requirements for 2027 MY engines produced after December 20 to meet US standards for inducements related to selective catalytic reduction systems, including warning and derate systems which activate when low DEF levels are recognized.

The order is applied to medium-duty models via a weight threshold, matching the 14,000 lb cutoff outlined by EPA classification.

Effectively, the measure allows manufacturers to continue shipping engines into Canada on an ‘as is’ basis. The order is valid for up to one year from the October signing date.