CE, EPA and EU Stage cover different things: CE marks a forklift as compliant with EU machinery and safety rules, EPA sets US emissions limits for the engine, and EU Stage sets EU emissions limits for the engine. CE is about the whole machine; EPA and EU Stage are about diesel (and other combustion) engine emissions. Which one you need depends on where the truck will work: a CE mark for the European market, an EPA-compliant engine for the United States, an EU Stage engine for Europe’s emissions rules. This guide explains what each standard covers, where it applies, and how to specify the right compliance for your country. HONGLI supplies CE on request, and EPA / EU Stage compliant diesel engines for markets that require them.
CE, EPA and EU Stage at a glance
| Standard | What it covers | Where it applies | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE marking | Machine safety and EU conformity (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC) | European Economic Area | The whole forklift |
| EPA | Engine emissions limits (Tier 4 current) | United States | Diesel / combustion engines |
| EU Stage | Engine emissions limits (Stage V current) | European Union | Diesel / combustion engines |
What CE marking means
CE marking shows that a forklift meets the European Union’s machinery and safety requirements — currently the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, which the new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 replaces from 2027 — and can be sold in the European Economic Area. It covers the whole machine — guarding, controls, stability, documentation — not just the engine. For most EU buyers, CE is the baseline requirement.
EPA vs EU Stage (engine emissions)
EPA and EU Stage do the same job on different continents: cap the exhaust emissions of a diesel engine. EPA Tier 4 is the current US standard; EU Stage V is the current European standard. They matter for diesel forklifts, not electric ones — an electric truck has no engine emissions to certify. Specify the standard your market enforces, and order the matching engine.
Which compliance does your market need?
Selling into Europe: CE on the machine, EU Stage on a diesel engine. Selling into the US: an EPA-compliant diesel engine. Electric trucks skip the engine standards. If you are unsure, send your destination country and the team confirms what applies. HONGLI supplies CE on request and EPA / EU Stage compliant engines, with certificates issued against your order and destination.
FAQ
What is the difference between CE and EPA?
CE marks the whole forklift as compliant with EU machinery and safety rules; EPA sets US emissions limits for the engine. CE is about the machine, EPA about the engine.
Do electric forklifts need EPA or EU Stage?
No. EPA and EU Stage cover engine emissions. An electric forklift has no combustion engine, so they do not apply.
What is EU Stage V?
The current EU emissions standard for non-road engines, including diesel forklifts. It is the European counterpart to EPA Tier 4.
Does HONGLI provide CE?
CE is supplied on request, with certificates issued against your order and destination. EPA / EU Stage compliant engines are available for diesel models.
Which standard do I need?
CE for the EU machine, EU Stage for a EU diesel engine, EPA for a US diesel engine. Send your destination and the team confirms.
Related: /about/certifications/ · /forklifts/diesel-forklift/ · /forklifts/electric-forklift/ · /get-a-quote/