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I read the recent article in the Northwest Observer about the increasing theft of catalytic converters from vehicles. It mentioned a Greensboro mechanic had
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installed a used catalytic converter on a car. Is installing a used converter legal? We checked online and found a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication that addresses replacing catalytic converters. In particular, it explained regulations for using converters from salvage yards or junked cars. “EPA considers it a violation of the policy to install a used converter from a salvage yard or sell it for reuse unless it has been properly tested and labeled,” according to the September 2000 publication. “Similarly, it is a violation
to install an untested used converter brought in by a customer, even if the customer insists the used converter came off his/her vehicle.” The agency goes on to say that salvage or junk yards “would be considered liable for causing tampering” if they sell converters that haven’t been tested or don’t meet federal requirements. The Clean Air Act regulates the installation, maintenance and performance of catalytic converters, described by the EPA as “the most important pollution control device on a vehicle.” The agency explained manufacturers have installed converters on most passenger and light-duty trucks produced since 1975 to reduce exhaust emissions and put vehicles in compliance with federal standards. As a result, the replacement of converters is regulated by federal laws. Installing a non-complying converter is considered a violation of the Clean Air
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