California ARB developing approval procedure for aftermarket DPFs
13 November 2014
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) announced the development of a procedure for approving non-OEM aftermarket diesel particulate filters (DPF) for onroad heavy-duty diesel engines. A workshop to discuss the ARB initial concept for the procedure will be held by the ARB on December 4, 2014 in El Monte, California.
Since 2007, OEM onroad heavy-duty diesel engines are certified with exhaust aftertreatment systems, which include a DPF. An aftermarket DPF program would allow for additional sources of exhaust aftertreatment parts for the end user, said the ARB. Currently, OEM filters are the only option available in California to replace failed DPFs on diesel engines originally equipped with a DPF after expiration of the warranty period. California Vehicle Code 27156 and 38391 requires ARB approval before a person can sell or install any device intended for use with a required motor vehicle pollution control system.
The procedure will allow the ARB to evaluate non-OEM aftermarket parts to determine if they are equivalent to OEM devices. At the workshop, the ARB staff will discuss the concept which includes the following elements:
- Material specifications—Similar material, size, core morphology, catalyst composition, and loading as the OEM part
- Testing requirements
- Durability testing
- Emission testing
- Engine validation
- In-field compatibility testing
- Secondary emissions testing
- On-board diagnostic (OBD) compatibility requirements
- Recall process
- Warranty options
- 5 years/150,000 miles
- 2 years/unlimited miles (> 100,000 miles/year & odometer < 300,000 miles)
- Other requirements—Record keeping, labeling, prohibition on resale of used part, pre-installation assessment, etc.
Once adopted, the new procedure will become a part of the Criteria for the Evaluation of Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices, Title 13, California Code of Regulations, Sections 2220-2225 (Aftermarket Parts).
Source: California ARB