Identify Your Vehicle's Emissions Specifications
By
Jul 17, 2022 32 mins read
Identify Your Vehicle's Emissions Specifications
Vehicles with California Emissions can be sold in states other than California. To determine which replacement converter you require, you first need to determine which emissions type you have:
-
Locate your Vehicle Emissions Control Information (V.E.C.I.) Label
-
Look for information like
California, 
Federal, and 
Engine Family
| California Emissions | Federal Emissions |
 |
 |
|
Other Common Terms: 50 State Legal, California, ARB
|
Other Common Terms: Federal, EPA, U.S. E.P.A.
|
Determine What Type of Catalytic Converter is Legal in Your State
Some states have unique requirements for aftermarket catalytic converter replacement. The chart below might not be an exhaustive list - it is up to the installer to make sure a converter is legal before replacing the part.
| Vehicles with California Emissions
|
Vehicles with Federal Emissions
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Vehicle Registration | Model Year | C.A.R.B. Compliant Converter | E.P.A. Compliant Converter | C.A.R.B. Compliant Converter | E.P.A. Compliant Converter |
California
|
All Years | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ |
Colorado
|
All Years | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ |
Maine
|
> 2000 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
New York
|
> 1992 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Other | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
FAQS
Why does California have their own emissions standards?
Due to severe air pollution (smog) in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the United States Federal Government allows the state of California to set its own, more stringent vehicle emissions standards.
What are the different requirements for E.P.A. vs. C.A.R.B. Certification?
An aftermarket catalytic converter must be certified by either the E.P.A. or the C.A.R.B. before it can legally be sold and installed on a vehicle in the United States. Below is an overview of the durability and performance requirements for certification under each regulatory body.
| Required Reduction after Durability Period | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Converter Compliance | Durability Period | Hydrocarbons (HCs) | Carbon Monoxide (CO) | Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) |
| E.P.A. Compliant | 25,000 Miles | 70% | 70% | 30% |
| C.A.R.B. Compliant | 50,000 Miles | 70% | 70% | 60% |
What is an Executive Order?
An Executive Order is written documentation of compliance with C.A.R.B. emissions regulations. Each C.A.R.B. Compliant Aftermarket Catalytic Converter is assigned a unique Executive Order Number to verify its compliance.
What is an Engine Family Number?
An Engine Family Number (found on the V.E.C.I.) identifies the specific vehicle emissions system that is installed by the OEM.
Why are some of the replacement catalytic converters listed in the
USAutopartscar
.com
catalog as 'w/ California Emissions' but aren't C.A.R.B. Compliant?
The catalytic converter was built to meet or exceed California Emissions standards, but has not undergone the (expensive and frequent) C.A.R.B. certification process. These converters can be installed on vehicles built to California Emissions specifications that are registered in states that do not require C.A.R.B. Compliant certification.
