EPA issues six-figure fine, costly compliance requirements for auto tuning company

September 27th, 2018 by Dakota Software Staff

The parent company of two popular aftermarket automotive tuning tool providers has to pay a six-figure fine and spend more than $6 million on operational changes to achieve compliance with the Clean Air Act. Automotive blog GM Authority said the business, which offers tools that help car owners modify various systems and controls in their cars' onboard computers, produced equipment that qualified as emissions defeat devices under the terms of the CAA.The organization must pay a $300,000 fine as well as commit the millions of dollars required for achieving compliance with the various environmental regulations involved.

EPA finds tools could bypass emissions regulations

"The company will have to spend $6.25 million on compliance improvements."

The CAA requires a variety of controls related to automotive emissions to limit pollution and prevent the negative consequences associated with it. The norm for modern vehicles is to set performance standards and limits via the onboard computers inside those autos. Industry blog Jalopnik said the specific issues in the tuning software's functionality included resetting oxygen sensor parameters to allow users to remove a catalyst or diesel particulate filter, among many others. This sort of workaround can boost the performance of vehicles as well as create aesthetic displays that some drivers enjoy. However, it can also lead to emissions levels that violate the CAA and contribute to increased pollution.

The organization has to change its software and the physical tools that utilize it to remove any functions that can bypass or otherwise circumvent CAA-related limitations on vehicles, a significant source of the high cost of internal compliance activities. Another area where the business must devote significant resources is removing all mentions of the potential ability to work around those emissions limitations as well. The Drive pointed out that the EPA also directed the business to create a verification program for its custom software product that features training about the CAA and emissions requirements.

"Manufacturers and sellers of automotive emissions control defeat devices should stand up and take notice of this settlement," said Susan Bodine, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, according to The Drive. "EPA will protect air quality by vigorously enforcing the Clean Air Act's prohibition on these devices."