United States Press Office (A-107) Environmental Protection Washington DC 20460 Agency &EPA Environmental News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1980 Casey (202) 755-0344 EPA ISSUES NEW The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued REGULATIONS ON AUTO INSPECTIONS two regulations that will assist motorists in States and metropolitan areas that have adopted auto emission inspections as part of their air clean-up plans. The regulations establish an EPA approved emission testing method for cars to determine if 1981 and later model year c.'rs and light duty trucks exceed tailpipe standards. It also sets up a warranty program which shifts the cost of repairs to the emission control system back to the manufacturer if a car fails the inspection test because of equipment failure, provided the car owner has followed the manufacturer's recommended maintenance instructions. The Agency's Assistant Administrator for Air Programs David G. Hawkins said, "Car owners who have conscien- tiously maintained their cars and whose cars fail a state or local emission test now have protection if the real cause of test failure is attributable to the manufacturer. I believe this will encourage states to more vigorously move forward with emission test programs, certainly the nujst effective action possible to reduce auto pollution." EPA said that 29 states are expected to ha lission inspection maintenance programs by 1982. (more) ------- -2- The emissions test, or "short test", is a quick, simple method used on warmed-up vehicles to identify emission levels. It correlates with the Federal Test Procedure (FTP) used to check new car compliance with emission standards. EPA said the short test would not give the same precise results as the FTP, but it is capable of screening out the highest emissions. Study results of a Portland, Oregon I/M program showed average hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions were reduced as much as 47 and 54 percent after cars underwent repairs. Analysis of other studies showed fuel economy improved an average of 3 to 4 percent when cars were adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The new warranty program will be available only in areas that use an EPA emissions test as part of their auto emission inspection and maintenance programs. "Auto emission inspection and n^intenance programs are crucial to assuring that cars continue to meet emission standards after they leave the assembly line," said Jeffrey E. Miller, Assistant Administrator for Enforcement. "The potential effectiveness of this program is quite clear. Areas with programs already in operation are reporting substantial emissions reductions." Auto emission inspection programs are now operating in the entire states of Rhode Island and New Jersey, as well as the urban areas of Cincinnati, Ohio; Portland, Oregon; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Many other states have passed legislation to implement auto emission inspection programs that would qualify car owners for the emission warranty coverage. The warranty will cover passenger cars starting with the 1981 model year for a period of five years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Up through the first 24 months or 2 4,000 miles the manufacturer must repair any portion of the vehicle necessary to bring it into compliance with applicable emission levels. After the initial period, the manufacturer is only required to repair components that have been installed for the sole or primary purpose of controlling emissions. These would include such parts as the catalytic converter, air pump, and exhaust gas recirculation system. The regulations outline procedures that manufacturers must follow in complying with the conditions that determine manufacturer liability. Under these procedures, after a car fails an emission inspection and maintenance test, the car manufacturer has the initial responsibility of demonstrating that the car is not eligible for a warranty repair. If the manufacturer is unable to make this showing it must repair the car free of charge under the warranty. In addition, manufacturers are required to provide owners whose claims have been denied a written explanation of why the claim was denied. (more) ------- -3- A $10,000 penalty can be imposed if the manufacturers do not comply with the provisions of the¦warranty. Information in the owners manual advises people to contact EPA if they have not received proper;warranty protection. r_93 Notice of today's regulations appears in todays Federal Register. # # # ------- *090 9 "II 09 D I H 3 i S f-; a 0 ;i d V 3 Q i j ££ A iJ a 9 I /\ \ o I 3 3 y too Muooostm,-, mooinv^sa se-o ON l!iuj»d Vd3 pie^ 808j pus aBeitOrf l!®W WD-WU ooe« 9sp| ejBAUd joj Ajieuoj sssuisng |«P!UO 09*02! OQ uoi6uiq««M AauaSv UO))38)OJd |BiUMUUOJ!AU3 nuns P*«un ------- |