EMISSIONS IDENTIFICATION   |  COMPLIANCE BY STATE  |  FAQS

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:

1. Locate your Vehicle Emissions Control Information (V.E.C.I.) Label
   
   


2. 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.

   
   

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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	✔	❌	✔	❌
New York	All Years	✔	❌	✔	❌
Maine	> 2000	✔	❌	✔	✔
Other		✔	✔	✔	✔

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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.

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 RockAuto.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.

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