---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 32918"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "32918"
heading: "Retrofit devices"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/32918"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs"
  - "Part C — Information, Standards, and Requirements"
  - "Chapter 329 — Automobile Fuel Economy"
---

# §32918. Retrofit devices

- (a) **Definition.—** In this section, the term “retrofit device” means any component, equipment, or other device—
  - (1) that is designed to be installed in or on an [automobile](/usc/49/32908.md?p=a-1) (as an addition to, as a replacement for, or through alteration or modification of, any original component, equipment, or other device); and
  - (2) that any [manufacturer](/usc/49/32101.md?p=5), dealer, or distributor of the device represents will provide higher [fuel economy](/usc/49/32901.md?p=a-11) than would have resulted with the [automobile](/usc/49/32908.md?p=a-1) as originally equipped,

  as determined under regulations of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/49/114.md?p=n-2-A-i). The term also includes a [fuel](/usc/49/32901.md?p=a-10) additive for use in an [automobile](/usc/49/32908.md?p=a-1).

- (b) **Examination of Fuel Economy Representations.—** The Federal Trade Commission shall establish a program for systematically examining [fuel economy](/usc/49/32901.md?p=a-11) representations made with respect to [retrofit devices](#a). Whenever the Commission has reason to believe that any representation may be inaccurate, the Commission shall request the Administrator to evaluate, in accordance with [subsection (c)](#c) of this section, the [retrofit device](#a) with respect to which the representation was made.
- (c) **Evaluation of Retrofit Devices.—**
  - (1) On application of any [manufacturer](/usc/49/32101.md?p=5) of a [retrofit device](#a) (or prototype of a [retrofit device](#a)), on request of the Commission under [subsection (b)](#b) of this section, or on the motion of the Administrator, the Administrator shall evaluate, in accordance with regulations prescribed under [subsection (e)](#e) of this section, any [retrofit device](#a) to determine whether the [retrofit device](#a) increases [fuel economy](/usc/49/32901.md?p=a-11) and to determine whether the representations, if any, made with respect to the [retrofit device](#a) are accurate.
  - (2) If under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administrator tests, or causes to be tested, any [retrofit device](#a) on the application of a [manufacturer](/usc/49/32101.md?p=5) of the device, the [manufacturer](/usc/49/32101.md?p=5) shall supply, at the [manufacturer](/usc/49/32101.md?p=5)’s expense, one or more samples of the device to the Administrator and shall be liable for the costs of testing incurred by the Administrator. The procedures for testing [retrofit devices](#a) so supplied may include a requirement for preliminary testing by a qualified independent testing laboratory, at the expense of the [manufacturer](/usc/49/32101.md?p=5) of the device.
- (d) **Results of Tests and Publication in Federal Register.—**
  - (1) The Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register a summary of the results of all tests conducted under this section, together with the Administrator’s conclusions as to—
    - (A) the effect of any [retrofit device](#a) on [fuel economy](/usc/49/32901.md?p=a-11);
    - (B) the effect of the device on emissions of air pollutants; and
    - (C) any other information the Administrator determines to be relevant in evaluating the device.
  - (2) The summary and conclusions shall also be submitted to the Secretary of [Transportation](/usc/49/13907.md?p=e-2) and the Commission.
- (e) **Regulations Establishing Tests and Procedures for Evaluation of Retrofit Devices.—** The Administrator shall prescribe regulations establishing—
  - (1) testing and other procedures for evaluating the extent to which [retrofit devices](#a) affect [fuel economy](/usc/49/32901.md?p=a-11) and emissions of air pollutants; and
  - (2) criteria for evaluating the accuracy of [fuel economy](/usc/49/32901.md?p=a-11) representations made with respect to [retrofit devices](#a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–429, § 6(43)(B), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4382.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 32918 | 15:2011. | Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, § 511, as added Dec. 22, 1975, Pub. L. 94–163, § 301, 89 Stat. 915, and amended July 5, 1994, Pub. L. 103–272, § 4(c), 108 Stat. 1361. |

This restates 15:2011 to include 15:2011 in the scope of the codification enacted by section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994 (Public Law 103–272, 108 Stat. 745).

In subsection (a), the words “Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency” are substituted for “Administrator” for clarity and to conform to the style of the codification which is to state the complete title the first time a descriptive title is used, and thereafter, to use a shorter title unless the context requires the complete title to be used.

In subsections (c) and (e), the word “regulations” is substituted for “rules” and “by rule” for consistency with the restatement of title 49.

In subsection (e)(1), the words “The Administrator shall prescribe regulations establishing” are substituted for “Within 180 days after December 22, 1975, the Administrator shall, by rule, establish” to eliminate executed words.

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 32918 was renumbered section 32919 of this title.