The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has initiated an emergency rulemaking to amend its vehicle emissions regulations, citing the need to maintain alignment with federal standards and ensure continued compliance for vehicles sold in the state.
According to CARB’s Notice of Proposed Emergency Regulatory Action and supporting documentation, the amendments are designed to preserve California’s authority to enforce its vehicle emissions program. Without the emergency updates, the agency says manufacturers could face regulatory uncertainty, potentially disrupting vehicle certification and sales in California.
The emergency filing is authorized under Executive Order R-25-002. The proposed changes address technical updates needed to keep California’s emissions program consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. CARB emphasized that maintaining alignment with federal standards is critical both for regulatory stability and for California’s long-standing clean air commitments.
Appendix A-1 of the filing details the specific regulatory text proposed for amendment, including clarifications on certification procedures and compliance requirements. These updates, CARB notes, are necessary to avoid a lapse that could otherwise affect vehicle approvals in the 2026 model year.
The emergency rulemaking process allows CARB to act more quickly than standard regulatory procedures. The proposal will next be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for review. If approved, the amendments would take effect immediately while CARB continues through its regular rulemaking process.
