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Final Rule for On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) in Relation to California's OBD Regulations
EPA420-F-05-040, November 2005
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a regulation that updates several technical aspects of EPA’s On-board Diagnostics (OBD) program and provides the most recent applicable reference to California's OBD II regulations. There is no environmental impact as a result of this rulemaking.
Key Elements of the Final Rule
- Clarifies that the effective date of model year 2008 for using the new vehicle communications protocol, ISO 15765-4.3 or the controller area network (CAN) protocol, does not apply to vehicles between 8,500 and 14,000 pounds using the SAE J1939 communication protocol.
- Clarifies to manufacturers who apply for federal OBD certification using a CARB OBD system and the corresponding emissions standards aren't available federally, that they need to certify to the closest and more stringent EPA emissions standards.
- References the latest, approved version of the California OBD II regulations (Title 13 CCR §1968.2, April 21, 2003) such that compliance with CARB OBD II requirements will satisfy certain federal OBD requirements.
- References the latest, published version of the OBD-related SAE and ISO recommended practices.
Background
Pursuant to Clean Air Act section 202(m), EPA has issued previous rules requiring manufacturers of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and light-duty trucks (LDTs) to install OBD systems on such vehicles beginning with the 1994 model year. OBD systems for heavy-duty vehicles and engines (HDVs) up to 14,000 pounds are required in 2005. OBD systems monitor emission control components for any malfunction or deterioration causing the vehicle to exceed certain emission thresholds, and alert the vehicle operator to the need for repair.
On June 17, 2003, EPA published a Direct Final Rule and a concurrent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the existing reference of the allowed California Air Resources Board (CARB) OBD II regulations (CARB Mail-Out #97-24, December 9, 1997) to the most recent, revised version (CARB Mail-Out MSCD #02-11, October 7, 2002). This would allow compliance with CARB OBD II requirements to satisfy certain federal OBD requirements. In addition, it updated the incorporation by reference for newer, published versions of recommended practices developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
EPA published the Direct Final Rule believing that no adverse comments would be received. However, EPA received an adverse comment that a cut-off date for compliance with an ISO recommended practice inadvertently eliminated another SAE heavy-duty vehicle/engine recommended practice. Therefore, EPA published a partial withdrawal notice on August 14, 2003, withdrawing two specific regulatory amendments included in the original Direct Final Rule. The Direct Final Rule, absent those two withdrawn provisions, became effective on August 18, 2003.
EPA is publishing a new Direct Final Rule to provide the final applicable reference to California’s OBD II regulation and other clarification for manufacturers choosing to demonstrate compliance with federal OBD requirements by meeting CARB’s OBD II regulations.
For More Information
You can access this rule and supporting documents at:
For additional information, please contact:
Arvon L. Mitcham
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Certification and Compliance Division
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-214-4522
E-mail: mitcham.arvon@epa.gov