The Outboard Engine Distributors Association (OEDA) was formed in 1991 to represent the Australian Outboard Engine Industry. OEDA has, with the support of key founding members Mercury Marine, Yamaha and Lakeside Marine (Tohatsu) provided the Australian boating public with a choice to select from a wide range of outboard engines.

Collectively, Mercury, Yamaha and Tohatsu brand outboards represent 75% of all outboards wholesaled annually in Australia. The engines are sourced from their respective manufacturing facilities covering the full range of Four Stroke, Two-Stroke and Direct Injection technologies..

With a distribution network represented by 70% of all outboard dealerships Australia-wide the customer support and dealership backup provided by OEDA members to the Australian boating public is second to none.

OEDA has, by invitation from State and Federal government bodies been actively engaged since 2003 in a number of studies and forums related to emissions from various sources including outboard engines. In proactively discussing potential emission outcomes, OEDA is drawing on the global knowledge and experience of the key international body, the International Marine Engine Committee (IMEC) – part of ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations). OEDA advocate engaging in close dialogue with international standards and regulatory authorities to project an informed and authoritative industry view specific to Australia, which due to a long coastline has a unique usage pattern of outboard engines when compared to America or Europe.

OEDA members have always supported proposals by government and others to increase the supply and purchase of low emission outboard engines to the Australian public in a fair and equitable manner causing the least amount of disruption to customers, the dealer network and other small businesses dependant on the Industry for their livelihood through the sales and service of outboard engines.

In late 2006, OEDA developed and launched the outboard Voluntary Emissions Labelling Scheme (VELS), which encourages consumers to make informed decisions regarding product choice.