Vehicle Emissions On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)
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Vehicle Service Information
This section provides valuable regulatory and technical information for the automotive industry, including archives of past documents.
2003 Final Rule
- June 27, 2003 Final Rulemaking (PDF) (35 pp, 234K)
- Regulatory Announcement: Final Rule for Service Information Availability (PDF) (3 pp, 16K, EPA420-F-03-003, February, 2003)
- Summary and Analysis of Comments: Service Information Availability Document (PDF) (160 pp, 371K, EPA420-R-03-007, April 2003)
Proposed Amendments to 1995 Final Rule
- June 8, 2001 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PDF) (24 pp, 131K)
- Regulatory Announcement Fact Sheet: Proposed Amendments to the Service Information Rule (TXT)(1 pg, 5 K, May 2001, EPA420-F-01-018)
1995 Final Rule
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August 9, 1995 Final Rule (PDF) (25 pp, 174K, August 9, 1995)
Technical Documents
On-Board Diagnostic Hand-Held Scan Tool Technology: Adherence to the Society of Automotive Engineers Requirements for Scan Tools and an Evaluation of Overall Scan Tool Capability (PDF) (27 pp, 69K, EPA420-R-00-017, October 2000)
OBD and Inspection and Maintenance
This section provides regulatory and technical information on OBD and inspection and maintenance checks, including archives of past documents. The Clean Air Act requires 33 state and local areas to conduct vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to control vehicle emissions and help meet national air quality standards. A majority of these state and local areas have already incorporated the use of OBD technology into vehicle inspections, and more are planning to do so in the future.
- Final Implementation Guidance: Performing On-Board Diagnostic System Checks as Part of a Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program (PDF) (37 pp, 320K, EPA420-R-01-015, June 2001)
The final guidance document entitled, "Performing On-Board Diagnostic System Checks as Part of a Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program," contains EPA's recommendations regarding the effective implementation of OBD-I/M checks in I/M programs. The recommendations contained in this guidance are consistent with EPA's amended OBD-I/M requirements, published April 5, 2001 (66 FR 18156).
- Final Rulemaking: Amendment to Vehicle Inspection Maintenance Program Requirements Incorporating the On-Board Diagnostic (PDF) (24 pp, 210K, published April 5, 2001)
The Final Rulemaking document entitled, "Amendment to Vehicle Inspection Maintenance Program Requirements Incorporating the On-Board Diagnostic Check", was signed March 28, 2001, and published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2001. It provides several options for extending the deadline for implementing OBD checks in I/M programs. The rule also revises failure and rejection criteria and provides the interim method for estimating OBD check credit under the MOBILE5 model.
Inspection Maintenance Program Requirements Incorporating the Onboard Diagnostic Check: Response to Comments (PDF) (50 pp, 80K, EPA420-R-01-003, January 2001)
Provides EPA's response to comments received on the September 20, 2000, notice of proposed rulemaking entitled, "Amendments to Vehicle Inspection Maintenance Program Requirements Incorporating the On-Board Diagnostic Check," not otherwise addressed in the final rulemaking action associated with that proposal.
Technical Documents
- Improving I/M Performance and OBD Monitor Readiness Memo
- OBD Readiness Testability Issues (PDF) (7 pp, 185K, EPA-420-B-12-044, updated June 2012)
This memo and accompanying document update the I/M OBD Vehicles Readiness Exception List (EPA420-F-08-009, January 2008) to list specific vehicle makes and models with OBD readiness issues and make suggestions for how I/M programs can improve operational performance by addressing monitor readiness.
- I/M OBD Vehicles Readiness Exception List (PDF) (6 pp, 190K, EPA420-F-08-009, January 2008)
This document lists vehicles that appear to be “Not Ready” for testing using the onboard diagnostic (OBD) system found on 1996 and newer vehicles.
State Agencies
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) offers significant benefits to state and local agencies working to improve air quality through vehicle inspection and maintenance programs. By providing technicians with timely and accurate emissions data and helping vehicle owners better maintain their vehicles, OBD plays a key role in helping states meet national air quality standards.
Whether your state has already implemented OBD checks or is planning to do so in the near future, this Web site will provide you with a wealth of information, including:
- Status of State and Local OBD Programs
Learn the status of state and local efforts to incorporate OBD technology into vehicle inspection and maintenance programs. - EPA Final Implementation Guidance Document: Performing Onboard Diagnostic System Checks as Part of a Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program (PDF) (37 pp, 320K, EPA420-R-01-015, June 2001)
Review EPA's official guidance on performing OBD checks as part of your state's vehicle inspection and maintenance program.
Related Links:
The following links exit the site Exit
Equipment and Tool Institute
Learn more about Controlled Area Network (CAN) equipped vehicles.
OBD Clearinghouse: Weber State University's Center for Automotive Science and Technology
Learn the latest on state and local OBD implementation, technician training opportunities and state outreach materials.