SEMA has revised, updated and formatted for online usage its guide to emissions certification of specialty automotive aftermarket parts. Known as the “Black Book” and available only to SEMA members, the guide is now simplified in many areas to facilitate achieving emissions compliance status with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This collection of valuable information provides background and current guidelines, and is designed to expedite the process by which SEMA members can gain parts certification.
“SEMA has received many requests from its members seeking information about federal and state emissions compliance requirements,” says SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “In many cases, there has been confusion about the process by which requirements can be met and Executive Orders from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued for applicable parts and systems.
"For years, SEMA has provided information and outlined compliance steps. However, we've learned that there are ways to further simplify the process. So to assist SEMA members in understanding the requirements and identify ways to minimize both cost and time in reaching compliance status, this revised material addresses these issues in a very user-friendly way.”
Where appropriate, SEMA has included website links to provide first-hand information from various compliance-related sources, including the CARB website. SEMA also provides simple and easy steps for obtaining a CARB Executive Order, application forms, helpful hints, compliance criteria checklists, retail restrictions information and a list of independent laboratories equipped to carry out required emissions testing protocols.
“Experience has shown that obtainment of a CARB Executive Order typically allows the sale of applicable emissions-related parts and systems outside the State of California,” McDonald adds. “The Black Book also contains information to assist members in understanding and complying with EPA’s tampering enforcement policy.
"Under the EPA policy, manufacturers must have a 'reasonable basis' for concluding that their products do not adversely affect the emissions of the vehicles on which they are intended to be installed. Currently, the EPA recognizes a CARB Executive Order as meeting the required reasonable basis.”
SEMA members interested in viewing the Black Book can click here.
For assistance or for help addressing specific concerns, SEMA members can contact SEMA Technical Consultant Jim McFarland at jmcfar1@aol.com.