The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week rolled out a sweeping policy shift aimed at bypassing California’s grip on vehicle emissions standards, officially recognizing an industry-led program to certify aftermarket parts.
The new federal directive, which covers light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, allows manufacturers to bypass the California Air Resources Board emission certification process. Instead, the EPA will recognize the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s Certified Emissions Program as an alternative authority to verify compliance with the Clean Air Act.
The move was announced in accordance with President Donald Trump’s new executive memorandum, “Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix. The memo mirrors elements of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (REPAIR ACT, H.R. 1566), a federal bill introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., that guarantees vehicle owners and independent shops access to advanced diagnostic data and tools.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, championed the mandate as "bringing common sense to automotive repair" and criticized previous Democratic policies as causing "chaos and destruction" for the market.
For decades, aftermarket parts manufacturers nationwide have largely had to seek approval through the California agency, known as CARB, to ensure products could be legally sold, as many states follow California's strict emissions rules.
"The recognition of SEMA Certified for emissions compliance helps unlock access to sales in 49 states, providing greater clarity and confidence for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike," said Melanie White, SEMA board chair and CEO of Hellwig Products.
SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola called the EPA's decision a "pioneering action" and a model for public-private partnerships. "The automotive aftermarket industry has a precise mechanism to support emissions testing compliance with federal laws, and it’s called SEMA Certified-Emissions," Spagnola said.
SEMA Certified-Emissions (SC-E) is a program designed around the guidance of EPA’s Tampering Policy. It provides guidance to aftermarket manufacturers for meeting the “reasonable basis” criteria for emissions compliance. The policy indicates that certification level testing done in a fashion similar to that required by CARB for the EO process is appropriate.
Major manufacturing executives, including leaders from Holley Group, ProCharger and BluePrint Engines, cheered the move, stating it provides regulatory certainty for small businesses and specialty innovators.
Directive addresses proprietary repair
The EPA’s new regulations also take aim at the information and tools on which original equipment manufacturers and dealers have historically held a stranglehold. The decree noted that manufacturers have an obligation to release necessary service data, training materials and tools on reasonable terms.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major automakers, also welcomed the change. The group's president and CEO, John Bozzella, noted that the White House memorandum protects intellectual property while reinforcing a long-standing industry commitment to provide independent repair shops with the same diagnostic tools and codes as franchised dealers.
"This is precisely what we've been saying as far back as 2003: Automakers support the freedom to fix," Bozzella said. "This should end the confusion and controversy around automotive repair once and for all."
Under the guidance, manufacturers must provide:
- Full emissions-related service information.
- Training materials.
- On-board diagnostics data and enhanced diagnostics.
- Passthrough reprogramming information.
- Manufacturer-specific tools for purchase.
Manufacturers have often cited the Clean Air Act’s anti-tampering laws as a reason to withhold certain digital tools and software, arguing that sharing them could facilitate the illegal bypassing of emissions controls. Industry experts say this has often left operators with no choice but to tow or limp vehicles to brand-name dealerships.
The EPA's new guidance clarifies that the Clean Air Act allows temporary overrides of emissions systems if done strictly for the "purpose of repair."
