WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency now says its rule related to On-Board Diagnostics systems was not meant to prevent aftermarket facilities from servicing heavy-duty trucks and engines.

According to the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, the language of the final rule seemed to absolve heavy-duty engine manufacturers from liability for emissions warranty if an aftermarket company had worked on the engine.

"If such were the case, no heavy-duty vehicle owner could feel safe taking his heavy-duty vehicle to an independent service provider during the warranty period for fear that he might void his warranty," the APRA said in a statement. "This would result in a substantial loss of business for aftermarket service facilities."

In a response, the EPA clarified the rule, stating: "allowing manufacturers to deny warranty claims solely because the service was performed by an independent service provider is not permitted by the Clean Air Act."

The association had been working with the EPA to gain as much access to information for independent heavy-duty service providers as possible. However, when the regulation was published, the organization found a provision that was not previously discussed. It’s language, says Michael Conlon, APRA general counsel, "was overbroad, violated the Clean Air Act and needed to be removed from the regulation."

"Therefore, we want to clarify that this provision does not allow manufacturers to deny warranty claims or otherwise limit their obligations with respect to a heavy-duty engine because emission-related service and repair of that engine was performed by an independent service provider," EPA responded. 

— via Truckinginfo.com