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Resources
Aftermarket Catalytic Converters
This page last reviewed on November 20, 2012
Aftermarket catalytic converters must be exempted from California's anti-tampering laws in order to be legally sold and installed in the state. If an aftermarket catalytic converter is shown to be durable and meets vehicle emission control requirements, it is granted an exemption Executive Order (EO) that allows it to be installed on specific emission controlled vehicles.
To search for EOs of exempted aftermarket catalytic converters, please go to the following pages:
- Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database Page* - This page contains aftermarket catalytic converter EOs for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles only.
- Motorcycle Aftermarket Parts Page - This page has a list at the top containing EOs for motorcycle aftermarket catalytic converters and other critical emission control parts for motorcycles.
To determine the correct catalytic converter part number for your vehicle, you will need its make, model, model year, engine size and test group/engine family designation.
Information About New Regulations for Aftermarket Catalytic Converters
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.
The links below provide additional information for manufacturers of aftermarket catalytic converters:
- Worst Case Test Vehicle Selection for non-OBD II Vehicles (PDF - 9K)
- Mail-Out MSO# 2012-03: Rapid Aging Test-A and Furnace-based Incremental Aging Procedures
The links below provide additional information for aftermarket catalytic converter retailers, installers, and consumers:
- Link to BAR newsletter describing California's new replacement converter requirements.
- Questions and Answers. (PDF - 6K)
- Understanding replacement converter labeling. (PDF - 44K)
- Installer's checklist for new aftermarket catalytic converters. (PDF - 85K)
Materials on installation requirements for new aftermarket catalytic converters previously provided to installers/distributors at public meetings:
- Slide presentation (PDF - 168K)
- Installation requirements - questions and answers. (PDF - 31K)
- 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)
Formal Regulatory Documents for October 25, 2007, Hearing.
The documents pertaining to the Board's adoption of new requirements for replacement catalytic converters include, but are not limited to, the public hearing notice, staff report, and regulations.
Who can I contact for more information? For more information about aftermarket catalytic converters, please contact ARB's Public Information Helpline at (800) 242-4450.
