This month I will talk about catalytic converters and new laws concerning replacements. First here is a brief explanation as to what there purpose is.

The catalytic converter is normally the first stage of a vehicles exhaust system. In layman's terms the main function of a catalytic converter is to reduce the amount of exhaust hydrocarbon emissions exiting a car's tail pipe. A catalytic converter is filled with a thin, porous material called catalyst, which is designed to react with and burn flowing engine exhaust gases, thereby re-burning these gases, which leads to a reduction in hydrocarbon emissions.

New Catalytic Converter Legislation

From the 13^th August 2009 the UK formally adopted the EU Type Approval legislation for the sale and installation of replacement catalytic converters for passenger car and light commercial vehicles.

The reason behind this legislation is to ensure that aftermarket catalytic converters perform to the same standard as the original equipment part, without any detrimental change to the emissions or performance of the vehicle.

Up until now this legislation has not applied to aftermarket catalytic converters, which has lead to inferior products being sold that can harm the environment through the emission of harmful gases and increased fuel consumption.

The introduction of the new 103R legislation means all aftermarket catalytic converters fitted to vehicles first registered on or after 1^st March 2001 (“Y” Registration) will be required to be tested and manufactured to the approved legislation.

Catalytic converters that have been tested in line with the new legislation also have to be marked with the appropriate approval number, which must be viewable once fitted.

Fitting a non-approved catalytic converter to a post March 2001 vehicle will therefore be illegal and can carry a fine of up to £5,000.

Vehicles registered before 1^st March 2001 will not be affected by this change in legislation.