CARB regulations a victory for independent service providers

The California Air Resources Board approved a series of regulations on Dec. 13, 2001 concerning On-Board Diagnostic II systems that promises to keep OEM’s from blocking independent service. CARB now requires that car companies permit independent aftermarket access to all service information and tools necessary to provide service and parts for late model vehicles equipped with the on-board system. The regulations put into action requirements enacted in September 2000. The CARB board rejected attempts by the vehicle manufacturers to obtain provisions that would have expanded their ability to protect trade secrets and would have limited access to many of the enhanced diagnostic capabilities available in aftermarket tools.

The Board also directed its staff to work with the aftermarket on issues regarding the ability of parts rebuilders to work with integral anti-theft units that must be reinitialized when the electronic control unit is replaced. The regulations have an implementation date of January 1, 2003.

The regulations will require that:

Car companies maintain web sites with all emissions related service information, including all manuals and technical service bulletins.

All printed training materials used by the car companies must be available to the independent service industry.

The same diagnostic tools provided by the car companies to the franchised new car dealer must be made available to independents.

Information must be released that is necessary for aftermarket tool suppliers to incorporate enhanced diagnostic capabilities into tools sold to independent service facilities.

Each car company must make available a description of the operating parameters for their on-board diagnostic systems.

All information be made available at a fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory cost.