California Air Resources Board

Certification is accomplished through manufacturer registration, pre-application, application, and post-application activities.  Additional detail is given below and in the Certification Steps Overview document.

Manufacturer Registration

Manufacturers wishing to certify for the first time must register with CARB and must submit any changes to registration items thereafter.  Registration requirements are outlined in the New Manufacturers Checklist.  Each registered manufacturer is assigned a staff engineer to coordinate with in regards to certification, including applications, meetings, and questions.  CARB is available for in-person meetings, teleconferences, and webcast meetings.    

Pre-Application Steps

Manufacturers are strongly encouraged to hold annual Certification Preview meetings to preview certification plans over the subsequent 1-3 years.  (Manufacturers need to submit aerodynamic test plan(s) before submitting the certification application into the DMS. For more details, please refer to MAC (should link to the MAC webpage)) 

Application Steps

Submission of Applications
All applications must be submitted to the Document Management System (DMS) and the E-Cert Certification System (E-Cert), once operational.  Information submitted via other means is viewed as informal only.  The data required in each application is listed in the  Heavy-Duty Greenhouse Gas Vehicles Certification Checklist.

Carryover Applications
Carryover applications are reviewed normally, except that Full and Partial Carryovers are processed in an expedited manner.  For more information, see the Streamlined Carryover Template.  Each carryover application is checked to verify that it is indeed a carryover of a previously-approved application.

Preliminary Staff Review
Within 30 days of submission, CARB will notify the manufacturer that the application has been received and whether the information submitted is sufficient to proceed to a full, detailed review.  It is expected that an application will be entirely complete at the time of initial submission.  An assigned staff Engineer will evaluate whether the quantity and quality of information submitted merits a full review.

Full Staff Review
When CARB determines that an application is sufficiently complete, the manufacturer will be notified that the application is "Accepted for Filing", and a detailed review will be initiated.  CARB will certify the completeness and content of the application, including engine and vehicle family names, weight classes, duty cycles, emission control systems, test engines and vehicles, applicable emissions standards, AC system documents, emissions labeling and warranty information, and so forth. Manufacturers may update applications during this review, and must do so if any changes occur to the design or production process. If necessary, CARB will provide substantive feedback to the manufacturer about what further information is needed. 

Peer and Management Review
If the full review completes successfully, the application will be marked as "Reviewed" and will then be reviewed by another staff engineer and by management.  This review will verify the determination of the assigned staff engineer, and usually completes in a short time; though, it is impossible to predict how long in advance.  Updates or additions to the application are disallowed during this stage unless specifically asked to do so by CARB staff; this restriction ensures that the version of the application reviewed by management matches the version present in the submittal system(s).

Final Decision
When the staff review is complete, a final decision will be made by Division Chief - to approve or disapprove.  Approvals may be issued an Executive Order, as needed

Post-Application Steps

Running Changes and Field Fixes
Running changes and field fixes are treated in the same manner as described above, with the exception that running changes and field fixes which incorporate changes to information not included on the pertinent Executive Order will likely not require a new Executive Order be issued.

End-of-Year Reports
Manufacturers must submit annual production and ABT reports, if applicable, after the end of each production model year.