EPA Implements New “Freedom to Fix” Presidential Memorandum; Gives SEMA Greenlight to Certify Aftermarket Products
July 1, 2026
Contact Information
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON – President Trump’s new memorandum, “Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix,” directs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to reduce reliance on the California Air Resource Board (CARB) emission certification process for aftermarket vehicle products and ensure every American has the freedom to fix their vehicle. Today, EPA took action by recognizing the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as an alternative certification authority for aftermarket vehicle parts. Moving forward, Americans will be able to use SEMA’s Certified Emissions (SC-E) Program to show compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and verify that approved aftermarket parts do not negatively impact vehicle emissions.
The aftermarket industry is valued at over $500 billion, and EPA’s action will significantly lower barriers for small businesses looking to enter the market, reduce Chinese knockoffs in the U.S. and expand Americans’ ability to fix their equipment by increasing access to authorized repair parts.
“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 Zeldin. “President Trump’s commitment to reviving the American auto industry has been unwavering and has already yielded hundreds of billions in new investments, supported American jobs and expanded consumer choice. With the aftermarket sector being a key piece of the industry, EPA is proud to deliver on the president’s agenda, for the small businesses producing aftermarket parts, and on behalf of the Americans who purchase those parts.”
“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 by the EPA 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.”
Under the CAA, aftermarket parts cannot bypass, tamper with or remove vehicle emissions controls. To demonstrate compliance, aftermarket manufacturers must show that vehicles equipped with their products can still pass the same emissions tests used during the vehicle’s original certification process. Before today, CARB had the only EPA recognized certification process for this purpose. However, unsurprisingly, the CARB process is faulty and backlogged, and its certification takes 12-18 months to complete. These delays have left small businesses, the majority of aftermarket suppliers, sidelined while Chinese counterfeits flooded the market.
In April 2026, SEMA requested EPA evaluate whether SEMA’s SC-E Program met the CAA and EPA’s Tampering Policy requirements. After reviewing materials submitted by SEMA, EPA has determined that emissions testing performed through SEMA’s SC-E program satisfies federal requirements and can be relied upon by American businesses and consumers. With over 6,000 members, and testing facilities in both Michigan and California, SEMA is well positioned to help American small businesses remain competitive and successful in the aftermarket sector. EPA welcomes similar requests from other qualified programs.
To read EPA’s letter to SEMA, please click here.
Background
Since day one, the Trump EPA has worked diligently to implement the President’s agenda to lower costs across the nation by fixing the regulatory mess inherited from the Biden EPA and has already delivered cost savings for American families that add up now into the trillions. Today’s announcement builds on the major vehicle and equipment wins delivered under Administrator Zeldin’s leadership which include the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, saving Americans over $2,400 per new vehicle and eliminating incentives for manufacturers to include the start-stop button in vehicles. The Trump EPA has also made great strides in addressing Diesel Exhaust Fluid issues harming American truckers and farmers and advancing Americans’ ability to fix their nonroad diesel equipment. The agency has taken multiple actions to protect consumer choice and end electric vehicle mandates, including the transmittal to Congress of three Biden EPA waivers for California that were then terminated via Congressional Review Act bills passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump.
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