Emissions Information

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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are actively investigating the sale and use of certain aftermarket performance parts. These investigations appear to involve all levels of our industry, including the manufacturers of these parts, wholesale distributors, retail dealers, and even the end users of these products.
Premier takes compliance with the applicable state and federal emissions regulations seriously, and we know that you do too. For that reason, Premier would like to remind you of the regulatory requirements associated with the sale and use of aftermarket performance parts.

State and federal emissions regulations establish three basic categories of aftermarket parts based on their potential to affect emissions from regulated highway and off-road vehicles:
(1) replacement parts; (2) Executive Order or EPA-approved parts; and (3) competition-only parts. As is explained below, different requirements apply to the sale and use of parts in each of these categories.

Replacement parts generally include aftermarket parts that are designed to OEM specifications, such that installation of the part does not increase vehicle emissions from what they would have been using the OEM part. Parts like lighting accessories, gauges, and decorative body parts that do not affect the vehicle’s emissions are also considered replacement parts. Replacement parts may be lawfully sold and installed on the emissions-controlled vehicles for which they are intended.

Executive Order (or EPA-Approved) parts are aftermarket parts that could adversely affect the emissions of a vehicle relative to the manufacturer’s original design, but that have been specifically approved by either CARB or EPA for sale and use on emissions-controlled vehicles based on test data demonstrating that use of the parts will not cause the vehicles to violate the applicable emissions standards. These parts may be lawfully sold and installed on the emissions-controlled vehicles identified in the CARB Executive Order.

Competition-only parts are very different, and you should take special care in advertising, selling, or installing these parts. Competition-only parts are aftermarket parts that could adversely affect the emissions of a vehicle, and that has not been approved by CARB or EPA for sale and use on emissions-controlled vehicles. Competition-only parts may be sold for use and installation only on vehicles that are used solely for competition in closed-course racing events.
The sale and use of these parts on any emission-controlled vehicle violate state and federal laws and regulations. This includes “dual-use” vehicles that may be used in racing events but that may also be used for non-racing purposes. It also includes “off-road” vehicles, which are now subject to emissions standards. Even advertising competition-only parts for use on regulated motor vehicles violates state and federal regulations. Violations resulting from the improper advertising, sale, and use of these parts are a serious matter, punishable by substantial fines, recall requirements, and other enforcement measures.

While competition-only parts may lawfully be sold for installation and use on vehicles used exclusively for competition, this is a narrow category of vehicles and we urge you to take all reasonable steps to verify that the competition-only parts you sell and/or install will be used only in closed-course racing events. We also urge you to keep careful records of these sales so that you can document the proper use of any competition-only parts you sell and/or install. Remember, compliance is your responsibility.

Premier is taking additional steps to assist you in your compliance efforts. On our dealer-only website, we are clearly marking all parts that have been identified by the manufacturer as competition-only parts. We will be adding a competition-only sticker on the exterior of the part’s box, as well as a printed notice on the invoice and packing slip.

We hope you find this information helpful in maintaining compliance with applicable state and federal emissions regulations. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the matters discussed above.

Parley G. Valora Vice President, Operations