Aftermarket Catalytic Converters

The Air Resources Board's (ARB) California Evaluation Procedures for New Aftermarket Non-Original Equipment Catalytic Converters (California Procedures) were adopted by the Board on August 19, 1988. An interim procedure, Optional Evaluation Procedures for New Aftermarket Non-Original Equipment Catalytic Converters, was set up to address requirements specific to catalytic converters for vehicles equipped with on-board diagnostics II (OBD II) systems and went into effect on December 2001. These regulations require new aftermarket catalytic converters to comply with requirements of Title 13, California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 2222(h) in order to be exempted from California's anti-tampering law (Vehicle Code section 27156), thereby allowing them to be offered for sale, sold, installed or used in California.

The ARB adopted revised regulations and evaluation procedures in October 2007 for the approval of new aftermarket catalytic converters sold in California. The requirements apply to all new aftermarket converters produced for sale or sold in California after January 1, 2009. The requirements also sunset provisions allowing the sale of certified used catalytic converters beginning July 10, 2008. This means that no used converter can be legally advertised for sale, sold, or installed in California after this date.

To be updated on any future notices, mail-outs, and/or other documents drafted by ARB on this matter, please join the "aftermktcat" email list located here:

(Select "All Lists" in the first pull-down menu, followed by entering your email address.  Click on the button "Display Email Lists & Archives." On the subsequent webpage, check the box for "aftermktcat," and click the send subscribe request button.)

The links below provide additional information for aftermarket catalytic converter retailers, installers, and consumers:

• Aftermarket catalytic converters in compliance with the new regulations, effective January 1, 2009. (PDF - 251K)   (Last updated February 8, 2010)
• Click on the list's blue, underlined Executive Order numbers to view the applicable documents.  Please note that recently issued Executive Orders may not be available for immediate online viewing.  
• Please note in the list the "See Inspection Alert" instructions for some of Walker Manufacturing Company’s (dba Tenneco) Executive Order labels. (PDF - 11K)   

• Link to BAR newsletter describing California's new replacement converter requirements. (Click HERE)   

• Questions and Answers. (PDF - 6K)

• Understanding replacement converter labeling. (PDF - 44K)

• Installer's checklist for new aftermarket catalytic converters. (PDF - 85K)

• Public Meetings Notice (Mail-Out #MSO 09-01): Invitation to the public and industry to participate in public meetings to discuss installation requirements for new aftermarket catalytic converters. (PDF - 115K)

• Slide presentation (PDF - 168K)

• Installation requirements - questions and answers. (PDF - 31K)   (Updated February 1, 2010)

• Installer's checklist for new aftermarket catalytic converters. (PDF - 85K)

• Installer's checklist for new aftermarket catalytic converters (en Español). (PDF - 78K)

• Installation requirements (refer to paragraph (h) of the regulations, pg 18).  (PDF - 128K)

• Vehicle Code section 27156. (PDF - 14K)

• Sample warranty registration card. (PDF - 706K)
  

• Staff Presentation of Proposed Changes at June 15, 2005 Workshop – (PowerPoint - 326K) or (PDF - 154K)

• Mailout #MSC 05-15. Public Workshop Regarding Proposed Amendments to the California Evaluation Procedures for New Aftermarket Catalytic Converters and the Aftermarket Parts Regulation - (PDF - 87K)

• California Evaluation Procedures for Aftermarket Catalytic Converters (DRAFT) - (MSW97 - 232K)