{"id":798,"date":"2026-07-17T05:45:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T05:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/library\/carb-compliance-checklist\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T15:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:31:33","slug":"carb-compliance-checklist","status":"publish","type":"libraries","link":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/library\/carb-compliance-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"CARB Compliance Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What this checklist covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California sets its own vehicle emission standards through the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Vehicles sold there must be certified for California, and aftermarket or performance parts that can affect emissions may only be sold or installed for road use when CARB has granted an exemption, known as an Executive Order (EO). Replacement catalytic converters must also be CARB-approved for the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CARB Compliance Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for California emissions rules, aftermarket parts approval, catalytic converters, emissions labels, and CARB Executive Order documentation. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on what the auditor sees on the day, and every gap goes into an action plan with an owner and a close date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"as-chktip wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>AutoSmart tip:<\/strong> CARB compliance applies not only in California but in every state that has adopted California&#8217;s emissions standards \u2014 currently approximately one-third of the US vehicle market. Selling a non-CARB-approved aftermarket part or an uncertified replacement catalytic converter in any of these states carries the same penalty exposure as a California sale. Confirm CARB status for every emissions- related part before installation in any CARB-adopting state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The checks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checks is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"as-checks__note\"><span>Tap Yes, No or Maybe to try it: your answers stay in this page and clear when you refresh. For a detailed walkthrough, <a href=\"#get-pdf\">download our PDF<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/book-a-demo\/\" data-as-track=\"demo\">book a demo<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">California emissions standards<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">01<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are vehicles sold in California (and other CARB- adopting states) confirmed as meeting the California Air Resources Board&#039;s emissions standards rather than only the federal Tier 3 standards?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">02<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the California-specific certification (CARB Executive Order for vehicle compliance) confirmed as current and covering all variants sold in California-complying states?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">03<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate obligations understood and tracked for manufacturers required to meet California&#039;s ZEV program requirements?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">04<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are California Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Trucks, or equivalent current CARB program requirements tracked for applicable model years and vehicle categories?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aftermarket and performance parts approval<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">05<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are aftermarket parts that affect vehicle emissions \u2014 performance air filters, exhaust systems, tune modules, EGR modifications \u2014 confirmed as CARB-approved (holding a CARB Executive Order) before being sold or installed in California?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">06<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a process in place to prevent installation of aftermarket parts on California vehicles that do not have a valid CARB Executive Order for the specific vehicle application?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">07<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are staff responsible for parts and accessories sales trained on the CARB aftermarket parts compliance requirement \u2014 distinguishing between federally legal parts and California- legal parts?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">08<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the CARB Executive Order number for each approved aftermarket part confirmed and recorded at point of sale in California, providing traceability if a smog check or CARB inspection raises a query?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Catalytic converters and emissions labels<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">3 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">09<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are replacement catalytic converters sold or installed on California vehicles confirmed as CARB-approved \u2014 with the CARB Executive Order number verifiable for the specific application?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">10<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the California emissions label (CARB label) confirmed as present and legible on every California-certified vehicle, with no label removed or obscured during service work?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">11<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are non-CARB-approved catalytic converters clearly identified and not sold for use on California vehicles \u2014 even if they are legal for use in other states?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Executive order documentation and governance<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">12<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a register maintained of CARB Executive Orders applicable to the vehicles and aftermarket parts sold, with expiry dates tracked and renewals confirmed before previous orders lapse?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">13<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is CARB compliance reviewed when new models, new aftermarket products, or new California program requirements are introduced \u2014 confirming that California-specific approval is obtained before California sales begin?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">14<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are CARB compliance obligations in California- adopting states (currently 17 states including New York, Massachusetts, and Washington) tracked alongside California itself, as the same CARB standards apply?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">15<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a named person designated as responsible for CARB compliance, with the authority and process to confirm California-specific approval status before any parts or vehicles are sold in CARB-adopting states?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions about this checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is a CARB Executive Order?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An exemption CARB grants for an aftermarket or modified part after showing it does not increase emissions. It applies to the vehicles listed in it.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Do other states follow CARB rules?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several states have adopted California&#8217;s vehicle standards. Check the current list for your state.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can AutoSmart track EO checks?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. The checks become a recurring audit per site, with photos of labels and an action for every part that fails.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Check vehicles, parts and installs sold in California against CARB rules: certified vehicles, Executive Orders for aftermarket parts, compliant catalytic converters and labels.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_as_roles":"Parts and accessories managers, service managers, compliance officers","_as_frequency":"Monthly, and before adding any emission-related part to the range","_as_standard":"California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions rules","_as_source":"https:\/\/ww2.arb.ca.gov","_as_pdf":988,"_as_solution":557,"_as_guide":0,"_as_case_study":0,"_as_lib_featured":false},"industry_tag":[3],"checklist_topic":[21],"checklist_market":[33],"class_list":["post-798","libraries","type-libraries","status-publish","hentry","checklist_topic-compliance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries\/798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/libraries"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries\/798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1281,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries\/798\/revisions\/1281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"industry_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry_tag?post=798"},{"taxonomy":"checklist_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/checklist_topic?post=798"},{"taxonomy":"checklist_market","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/checklist_market?post=798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}