EPA Grants SEMA Certified-Emissions Program ‘Reasonable Basis’ Status

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an advisory opinion that states that a SEMA Certified-Emissions certification qualifies as a reasonable basis under the Tampering Policy, and companies can rely on this certificate to demonstrate compliance. With this formal recognition, the EPA is establishing a regulatory pathway allowing for 49-state sales (excluding California) and reestablishes the federal government’s leadership on clean-air issues, SEMA officials stated in a press release.

“Today, the EPA has verified what SEMA for years has told regulators at the state and federal levels: that the automotive aftermarket industry has a precise mechanism to support emissions testing compliance with federal laws, and it’s called SEMA Certified-Emissions,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “This EPA recognition of the SEMA Certified-Emissions program is nothing short of a pioneering action by the federal government to utilize private-public partnerships in service to industry regulatory compliance efforts. We’re beyond pleased to continue to provide this service to aftermarket businesses so they can bring their innovative products to the market, and with a renewed certainty that our nation’s clean-air laws are being followed.”

“Americans should not be forced to solely rely on California to certify aftermarket products. Starting today, Americans can trust that products certified by SEMA meet federal requirements and can be used to repair vehicles,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

The EPA’s action directly responds to a June 29, 2026, presidential memorandum by President Trump that encouraged the agency to “expeditiously consider, and act on any requests from organizations capable of testing aftermarket parts for conformance with the CAA,” to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and other relevant EPA regulations.

What This Means for Automotive Aftermarket Businesses

SEMA says this is a significant win for the automotive aftermarket, an economically significant industry made up primarily of small businesses that design and manufacture innovative, American-made, emissions law-compliant products that enhance the performance of cars and trucks across the globe.

The SEMA Certified-Emissions program is the product of years of heavy investment and development by the Specialty Equipment Market Association through its SEMA Garage program. The envisioned purpose of SEMA Certified-Emissions was to create a robust, sustainable and practical pathway to Clean Air Act emissions compliance under federal law. As a result of this work, the SEMA Garage is now the automotive industry’s foremost venue for showing a documented, reasonable basis for aftermarket products having no adverse impact on emissions, noted the release.

Aftermarket manufacturers have historically needed California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Orders to sell products nationwide. The EPA’s recognition of the SEMA Certified-Emissions program verifies a transparent, data-driven process to serve as an affordable, accelerated pathway for aftermarket companies to follow. It offers much-needed certainty for aftermarket businesses, particularly with regard to products that meet federal standards (i.e., internal combustion engine products), SEMA officials said.

Additionally, SEMA states that the recognition of the SEMA Certified-Emissions program rebalances EPA authority over Clean Air Act emissions compliance and provides manufacturers, retailers and consumers with a viable, nationally recognized option for illustrating compliance. In particular, aftermarket businesses gain much-needed certainty, including those for which California has not provided a clear path to compliance.