§ 86.1848-10 Compliance with emission standards for the purpose of certification.
(a)(1) If, after a review of the manufacturer's submitted Part I application, information obtained from any inspection, such other information as the Administrator may require, and any other pertinent data or information, the Administrator determines that the application is complete and that all vehicles within a test group and evaporative/refueling family as described in the application meet the requirements of this part and the Clean Air Act, the Administrator shall issue a certificate of conformity.
(2) If, after review of the manufacturer's application, request for certification, information obtained from any inspection, such other information as the Administrator may require, and any other pertinent data or information, the Administrator determines that the application is not complete or the vehicles within a test group or evaporative/refueling family as described in the application, do not meet applicable requirements or standards of the Act or of this part, the Administrator may deny the issuance of, suspend, or revoke a previously issued certificate of conformity. The Administrator will notify the manufacturer in writing, setting forth the basis for the determination. The manufacturer may request a hearing on the Administrator's determination.
(b) A certificate of conformity will be issued by the Administrator for a period not to exceed one model year and upon such terms as deemed necessary or appropriate to assure that any new motor vehicle covered by the certificate will meet the requirements of the Act and of this part.
(c) Failure to meet any of the following conditions will be considered a failure to satisfy a condition upon which a certificate was issued, and any affected vehicles are not covered by the certificate:
(1) The manufacturer must supply all required information according to the provisions of §§ 86.1843 and 86.1844.
(2) The manufacturer must comply with all certification and in-use emission standards contained in this subpart both during and after model year production.
(3) The manufacturer must comply with all implementation schedules sales percentages as required in this subpart.
(4) New incomplete vehicles must, when completed by having the primary load-carrying device or container attached, conform to the maximum curb weight and frontal area limitations described in the application for certification as required in § 86.1844.
(5) The manufacturer must meet the in-use testing and reporting requirements contained in §§ 86.1845, 86.1846, and 86.1847, as applicable.
(6) Vehicles must in all material respects be as described in the manufacturer's application for certification (Part I and Part II).
(7) Manufacturers must meet all the provisions of §§ 86.1811, 86.1813, 86.1816, and 86.1860 through 86.1862 both during and after model year production, including compliance with the applicable fleet average standard and phase-in requirements. The manufacturer bears the burden of establishing to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the terms and conditions upon which each certificate was issued were satisfied. For recall and warranty purposes, vehicles not covered by a certificate of conformity will continue to be held to the standards stated or referenced in the certificate that otherwise would have applied to the vehicles. A manufacturer may not sell credits it has not generated.
(8) Manufacturers must meet all provisions related to cold temperature standards in §§ 86.1811 and 86.1864 both during and after model year production, including compliance with the applicable fleet average standard and phase-in requirements. The manufacturer bears the burden of establishing to the satisfaction of the Administrator that the terms and conditions upon which each certificate was issued were satisfied. For recall and warranty purposes, vehicles not covered by a certificate of conformity will continue to be held to the standards stated or referenced in the certificate that otherwise would have applied to the vehicles. A manufacturer may not sell credits it has not generated.
(d) One certificate will be issued for each test group and evaporative/refueling family combination. For diesel fueled vehicles and electric vehicles, one certificate will be issued for each test group. A certificate of conformity is deemed to cover the vehicles named in such certificate and produced during the model year.
(e) A manufacturer of new light-duty vehicles, light-duty trucks, and complete heavy-duty vehicles must obtain a certificate of conformity covering such vehicles from the Administrator prior to selling, offering for sale, introducing into commerce, delivering for introduction into commerce, or importing into the United States the new vehicle. Vehicles produced prior to the effective date of a certificate of conformity may also be covered by the certificate, once it is effective, if the following conditions are met:
(1) The vehicles conform in all respects to the vehicles described in the application for the certificate of conformity.
(2) The vehicles are not sold, offered for sale, introduced into commerce, or delivered for introduction into commerce prior to the effective date of the certificate of conformity.
(3) EPA is notified prior to the beginning of production when such production will start, and EPA is provided a full opportunity to inspect and/or test the vehicles during and after their production. EPA must have the opportunity to conduct SEA production line testing as if the vehicles had been produced after the effective date of the certificate.
(f) Vehicles imported by an original equipment manufacturer after December 31 of the calendar year for which the model year is named are still covered by the certificate of conformity as long as the production of the vehicle was completed before December 31 of that year.
(g) For test groups required to have an emission control diagnostic system, certification will not be granted if, for any emission data vehicle or other test vehicle approved by the Administrator in consultation with the manufacturer, the malfunction indicator light does not illuminate as required under § 86.1806.
(h) Vehicles equipped with aftertreatment technologies such as catalysts, otherwise covered by a certificate, which are driven outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be presumed to have been operated on leaded gasoline resulting in deactivation of such components as catalysts and oxygen sensors. If these vehicles are imported or offered for importation without retrofit of the catalyst or other aftertreatment technology, they will be considered not to be within the coverage of the certificate unless included in a catalyst or other aftertreatment technology control program operated by a manufacturer or a United States Government agency and approved by the Administrator.
[89 FR 28188, Apr. 18, 2024, as amended at 91 FR 7764, Feb. 18, 2026]