My Take on EPA’s “Freedom to Fix” Memorandum and What It Means for the Automotive Aftermarket
- Michael Timmons
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
The EPA’s decision to recognize the Specialty Equipment Market Association as an alternative certification authority for emissions-compliant aftermarket products is one of the most significant regulatory shifts the automotive aftermarket has seen in years.
From my perspective, this isn't just another policy update. This has the potential to reshape innovation, competition, time-to-market, and consumer choice across the entire aftermarket industry.
After spending nearly three decades in the automotive aftermarket, I've seen firsthand how regulations (whether intentional or not) can either fuel growth or create bottlenecks that slow down progress. For years, one of the biggest frustrations in our industry has been the overwhelming dependence on the California Air Resources Board for emissions certification.
The issue was never about whether emissions standards should exist. Responsible manufacturers understand the importance of compliance and clean-air regulations. The problem has always been the process.
CARB effectively became the gatekeeper for aftermarket emissions certification, creating a system that was slow, expensive, and difficult for smaller companies to navigate. When certification timelines stretch to 12–18 months (or longer), it creates massive barriers to entry. For large companies, those delays are painful. For small and mid-sized businesses, they can be devastating.
Innovation in the aftermarket moves fast. Consumer demand changes quickly. Vehicle platforms evolve constantly. Companies need the ability to develop, test, certify, and launch products at a pace that matches market demand.
The previous certification structure simply wasn't built for that reality. That's why this EPA decision matters.
Recognizing SEMA's Certified Emissions Program as a federally acceptable compliance pathway introduces something the industry has desperately needed: options.
Competition generally improves systems, and regulatory certification should be no different. By allowing SEMA to certify qualifying products, the EPA has introduced a second path to reduce bottlenecks, improve speed, and lower costs for manufacturers while maintaining emissions compliance.
That’s a win for manufacturers. That's a win for consumers. That's a win for our industry. And that's a win for innovation.
I also believe this decision could help address another growing issue: counterfeit and knockoff products entering the U.S. market.
When legitimate manufacturers face long approval cycles and high regulatory costs, bad actors often exploit the gap. Counterfeit products move faster, avoid compliance, and undercut reputable brands on price. That creates an uneven playing field and hurts the companies investing in engineering, testing, and quality.
Reducing unnecessary certification delays helps American manufacturers stay competitive while protecting consumers from low-quality alternatives.
This is especially important for small businesses, which make up a huge portion of the aftermarket industry. Many of these companies are built by garage-forged entrepreneurs, engineers, and enthusiasts who identify market gaps and create innovative solutions. These businesses are often the lifeblood of product innovation in our space.
When regulatory systems become too cumbersome, small businesses suffer the most.
I also view this as a broader conversation around federal versus state-level influence.
I’ve long believed that no single state should effectively dictate standards for an entire national industry. Especially one as large and influential as the automotive aftermarket manufacturing industry. California has had enormous influence through CARB, and while its role has shaped emissions compliance for decades, relying too heavily on one regulatory pathway creates concentration risk.
This EPA move helps restore balance. It creates a more practical framework that supports compliance without unnecessarily limiting business growth, product development, or consumer choice.
The automotive aftermarket is a massive industry, and it touches nearly every part of vehicle ownership: performance, utility, maintenance, customization, and repair.
The “Freedom to Fix” initiative reinforces what many of us in the industry have been saying for years: consumers should have the right to repair, modify, and maintain their vehicles without unnecessary barriers, as long as those modifications comply with emissions laws.
That’s the key balance. This should never be about eliminating standards. It should be about creating smarter systems. The real opportunity now lies in execution.
In addition, SEMA has been given a major responsibility, and the industry will be watching closely. The SC-E program must prove it can deliver rigorous, credible, and efficient certification that manufacturers, regulators, and consumers trust.
If it does, this could become a turning point for the automotive aftermarket.
My overall view is simple: this is a major step in the right direction.
It reduces unnecessary friction.
It supports innovation.
It strengthens small businesses.
It improves consumer access.
It helps restore common sense to an industry that has often been burdened by inefficient regulatory systems.
The aftermarket has always been built on innovation, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit.
This decision gives the industry more room to do what it does best: build better products and serve consumers.
My Website: www.michaeltimmonsgg.com
My LinkedIn Page: www.linkedin.com/in/miketimmons
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