What is the EPA Policy On Sale And Use Of
Aftermarket Catalytic Converters?
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ENFORCEMENT POLICY (General Requirements)
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Regulated parties shall install new or used aftermarket catalytic converters on motor vehicles only if the converters are represented in writing by the distributor or manufacturer to have been tested according to the procedures in the Federal Register Volume 51, No. 150 / Tuesday, August 5, 1986, and to have met the performance criteria specified. “Regulated Parties” means any person engaged in the business of repairing, servicing, selling, leasing or trading motor vehicle engines, or who operate a fleet of motor vehicles.
New or used aftermarket converters that meet the performance criteria specified in the Federal Register / Volume 51, No. 150, August 5, 1986, may be installed in the following situations.
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- If the vehicle is missing a converter;
- If a state or local inspection program has determined the existing converter has been lead-poisoned or damaged or otherwise needs replacement; or
- If the vehicle is more than five years old or has more than 50,000 miles, and a legitimate need for replacement has been established and documented.
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| B. |
DOCUMENTATION |
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In order to establish and document that the circumstance permitting replacement of an original or missing converter with an aftermarket converter meeting the required performance criteria exists: the installer must include the customer's name, complete address, and the make, model, year and mileage of the vehicle on the service invoice and on the warranty card (enclosed with the converter from the manufacturer) along with a stated reason for replacement.
Where a state or local government has determined that a converter is damaged or needs replacement, the service or repair facility must also retain a copy of the written statement or order by a proper government representative which indicated that the converter should be replaced. This should then be attached to the invoice.
Where the replacement need has not been verified by a proper state or local government representative, the customer and a representative of the service or repair facility must sign a statement which may be contained on the invoice or separate document verifying that replacement is justified. A printed statement (as seen at right) is included in each converter carton.
Installers must retain copies of the invoices and statements (as seen at right) for six (6) months, and the replaced converters (if any) for at least 15 days from the date of installation of the replaced converters. Replaced converters must be marked in such a way that they can be identified with particular customer invoices and statements and be available for EPA inspection.
Persons who install or sell aftermarket converters that do not meet the criteria and conditions specified in the Federal Register / Volume 51, No. 150 / Tuesday, August 5, 1986, may be considered liable for tampering or causing tampering.
Furthermore, the EPA has issued the following installation requirements.
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- The Converter be installed in one of the three situations outlined above.
- The Converter be installed in the same location as the original converter(s).
- The Converter be the same type as the original converter, (i.e., oxidation, three-way or three-way plus oxidation).
- The Converter be the proper one for the vehicle application as determined and specified by the manufacturer.
- The Converter be connected properly to any existing air injection components on the vehicle.
- The Converter be installed with any other required converters for a particular application.
- The Converter be accompanied by a warranty information card to be filled out by the installer.
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Emission Family Code Identification
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NOTE: enfn* means ENGINE FAMILY NAME In order to properly determine what catalytic converter to use on certain applications, it is necessary to determine the type of catalytic converter originally used on the vehicle. This information (required by the EPA) is included on the vehicle emission control information label located in the engine compartment in a visible position on the hood underside, shock tower, radiator support, fan shroud or firewall.
(An example is shown below.)
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Two-Way (Oxidation) = OC or COC Three-Way (Oxidation Reduction) = TWC or ORC
Three-Way + Air (3-Way Plus Oxidation) = TWC/OC or ORC/OC |
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