Incorporating all valid text up to:

Amendment 1 — Date of entry into force: 6 July 2000

Amendment 2 — Date of entry into force: 4 April 2005

1.   SCOPE

This Regulation applies to the type-approval, as separate technical units, of catalytic converters to be fitted in one or more types of motor vehicles of categories M1 and N1 as replacement parts.

2.   DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this Regulation:

2.1.    ‘Original equipment catalytic converter’ means a catalytic converter or an assembly of catalytic converters covered by the type approval delivered for the vehicle and whose types are indicated in the documents related to Annex 2 to Regulation No 83.

2.2.    ‘Replacement catalytic converter’ means a catalytic converter or an assembly of catalytic converters for which approval can be obtained according to this Regulation, other than those defined in paragraph 2.1 above.

2.3.    ‘Original replacement catalytic converter’ means a catalytic converter or an assembly of catalytic converters whose types are indicated in the documents related to Annex 2 to Regulation No 83, but are offered in the market as separate technical units by the holder of the vehicle type-approval.

2.4.    ‘Type of catalytic converter’ means catalytic converters which do not differ in such essential aspects as:

(i)	number of coated substrates, structure and material

(ii)	type of catalytic activity (oxidising, three-way, …)

(iii)

volume, ratio of frontal area and substrate length

(iv)	catalyst material content

(v)	catalyst material ratio

(vi)	cell density

(vii)

dimensions and shape

(viii)

thermal protection

2.5.    ‘Vehicle type’

See paragraph 2.3 of Regulation No 83.

2.6.    ‘Approval of a replacement catalytic converter’ means the approval of a converter intended to be fitted as a replacement part on one or more specific types of vehicles with regard to the limitation of pollutant emissions, noise level and effect on vehicle performance and, where applicable, on the on-board diagnostic (OBD).

2.7.    ‘Deteriorated replacement catalytic converter’ means a converter that has been aged or artificially deteriorated to such an extend that it fulfils the requirements laid out in paragraph 1 of Appendix 1 to Annex 11 to Regulation No 83.

3.   APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL

3.1.   The application for approval of a type of replacement catalytic converter shall be submitted by its manufacturer or by his authorised representative.

For each type of replacement catalytic converter for which type approval is requested, the application for approval shall be accompanied by the following documents in triplicate.

3.2.1.   Drawings of the replacement catalytic converter identifying in particular all the characteristics referred to in paragraph 2.4 of this Regulation.

3.2.2.   Description of the vehicle type or types for which the replacement catalytic converter is intended. The number and/or symbols characterizing the engine and vehicle type(s) shall be indicated.

3.2.3.   Description and drawings showing the position of the replacement converter relative to the engine exhaust manifold(s).

3.2.4.   Drawings indicating the intended location of the approval mark.

3.2.5.   Indication if the replacement catalytic converter is intended to be compatible with OBD requirements.

3.2.6.   A model for the information document is given in Appendix 1.

The applicant for approval shall provide the technical service responsible for approval tests with:

3.3.1.   Vehicle(s) of a type approved in accordance with Regulation No 83 equipped with a new original catalytic converter. This (these) vehicle(s) shall be selected by the applicant with the agreement of the technical service. It (they) shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 3 of Annex 4 to Regulation No 83.

The test vehicle(s) shall have no emission control system defects; any excessively worn out or malfunctioning emission related original part shall be repaired or replaced. The test vehicle(s) shall be tuned properly and set to the manufacturer's specification prior to emission testing.

3.3.2.   One sample of the type of the replacement catalytic converter. This sample shall be clearly and indelibly marked with the applicant's trade name or mark and its commercial designation.

3.3.3.   An additional sample of the type of the replacement catalytic converter, in the case of a replacement catalytic converter intended to be fitted to a vehicle equipped with an OBD system. This sample shall be clearly and indelibly marked with the applicant's trade name or mark and its commercial designation. It must have been deteriorated as defined in paragraph 2.7 above.

4.   APPROVAL

4.1.   If the replacement catalytic converter submitted for approval pursuant to this Regulation meets the requirements of paragraph 5 below, approval of that type of replacement catalytic converter shall be granted.

Original replacement catalytic converters, which are of a type covered by paragraph 18. of Annex 2 to Regulation No 83 and are intended for fitment to a vehicle to which the relevant type-approval document refers, do not need to be approved according to this Regulation provided they fulfil the requirements of paragraphs 4.2.1 and 4.2.2.

4.2.1.   Marking

Original replacement catalytic converters shall bear at least the following identifications:

4.2.1.1.   The vehicle manufacturer's name or trademark.

4.2.1.2.   The make and identifying part number of the original replacement catalytic converter as recorded in the information mentioned in paragraph 4.2.3.

4.2.2.   Documentation

Original replacement catalytic converters shall be accompanied by the following information:

4.2.2.1.   The vehicle manufacturer's name or trade mark.

4.2.2.2.   Make and identifying part number of the original replacement catalytic converter as recorded in the information mentioned in paragraph 4.2.3.

4.2.2.3.   The vehicles for which the original replacement catalytic converter is of a type covered by item 18 of Annex 2 of Regulation No 83, including, where applicable, a marking to identify if the original replacement catalytic converter is suitable for fitting to a vehicle that is equipped with an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system.

4.2.2.4.   Installation instructions, where necessary.

4.2.2.5.   This information shall be provided either:

—	as a leaflet accompanying the original replacement catalytic converter, or

—	on the packaging in which the original replacement catalytic converter is sold, or

—	by any other applicable means.

In any case, the information must be available in the product catalogue distributed to points of sale by the vehicle manufacturer.

4.2.3.   The vehicle manufacturer shall provide to the technical service and/or approval authority the necessary information in electronic format which makes the link between the relevant part numbers and the type approval documentation.

This information shall contain:

(i)	make(s) and type(s) of vehicle.

(ii)	make(s) and type(s) of original replacement catalytic converter.

(iii)

part number(s) of original replacement catalytic converter.

(iv)	type-approval number of the relevant vehicle type(s).

4.3.   An approval number shall be assigned to each replacement catalytic converter type approved. Its first two digits (00 for the Regulation in its present form) shall indicate the series of amendments incorporating the most recent major technical amendments made to the Regulation at the time of issue of the approval. The same Contracting Party may not assign the same number to another type of replacement catalytic converter. The same approval number may cover the use of that replacement catalytic converter type on a number of different vehicle types.

4.4.   When the applicant for type-approval can demonstrate to the type-approval authority or technical service that the replacement catalytic convert is of a type indicated in item 18 of Annex 2 to the 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 83, the granting of a type approval certificate shall not be dependent on the requirements specified in paragraph 5 having to be verified.

4.5.   Notice of approval or of extension or of refusal of approval of a type of replacement catalytic converter pursuant to this Regulation shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation by means of a form conforming to the model in Annex 1 to this Regulation.

There shall be affixed, conspicuously and in a place specified on the approval form, to the replacement catalytic converter conforming to a type of replacement catalytic converter approved under this Regulation, an international approval mark consisting of:

4.6.1.   A circle surrounding the letter ‘E’ followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval (1);

4.6.2.   The number of this Regulation, followed by the letter ‘R’, a dash and the approval number in the vicinity of the circle prescribed in paragraph 4.6.1.

4.7.   If the replacement catalytic converter conforms to a catalytic converter type approved under one or more other Regulations annexed to the Agreement in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation, the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.6.1 need not be repeated; in such a case, the Regulation and approval numbers and the additional symbols of all the Regulations under which approval has been granted in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation shall be placed in vertical columns to the right of the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.6.1.

4.8.   The approval mark shall be indelible and clearly legible when the replacement catalytic converter is mounted under the vehicle.

4.9.   Annex 2 to this Regulation gives examples of arrangements of approval marks.

5.   REQUIREMENTS

5.1.   General requirements

5.1.1.   The replacement catalytic converter shall be designed, constructed and capable of being mounted so as to enable the vehicle to comply with the provisions of those Regulations which it was originally in compliance with and that pollutant emissions are effectively limited throughout the normal life of the vehicle under normal conditions of use.

5.1.2.   The installation of the replacement catalytic converter shall be at the exact position of the original equipment catalytic converter, and the position on the exhaust line of the oxygen probe(s) and other sensors, if applicable, shall not be modified.

5.1.3.   If the original equipment catalytic converter includes thermal protections, the replacement catalytic converter shall include equivalent protections.

5.1.4.   The replacement catalytic converter shall be durable, that is designed, constructed and capable of being mounted so that reasonable resistance to the corrosion and oxidation phenomena to which it is exposed is obtained, having regard to the conditions of use of the vehicle.

5.2.   Requirements regarding emissions

The vehicle(s) indicated in paragraph 3.3.1 of this Regulation, equipped with a replacement converter of the type for which approval is requested, shall be subjected to a type I test under the conditions described in the corresponding annexes to Regulation No 83 in order to compare its performance with the original catalytic converter according to the procedure described below.

5.2.1.   Determination of the basis for comparison

The vehicle(s) shall be fitted with a new original catalytic converter (see paragraph 3.3.1) which shall be run in with 12 extra urban cycles (test type I part 2).

After this preconditioning, the vehicle(s) shall be kept in a room in which the temperature remains relatively constant between 293 and 303 K (20 and 30 °C). This conditioning shall be carried out for at least six hours and continue until the engine oil temperature and coolant, if any, are within ±2 K of the temperature of the room. Subsequently three exhaust gas tests type I shall be made.

5.2.2.   Exhaust gas test with replacement catalytic converter

The original catalytic converter of the test vehicle(s) shall be replaced by the replacement catalytic converter (see paragraph 3.3.2.) which shall be run in with 12 extra urban cycles (test type I part 2). After this preconditioning, the vehicle(s) shall be kept in a room in which the temperature remains relatively constant between 293 and 303 K (20 and 30 °C). This conditioning shall be carried out for at least six hours and continue until the engine oil temperature and coolant, if any, are within ±2 K of the temperature of the room. Subsequently three exhaust gas tests type I shall be made.

5.2.3.   Evaluation of the emission of pollutants of vehicles equipped with replacement catalytic converters

The test vehicle(s) with the original catalytic converter shall comply with the limit values according to the type approval of the vehicle(s) including — if applicable — the deterioration factors applied during the type approval of the vehicle(s).

The requirements regarding emissions of the vehicle(s) equipped with the replacement catalytic converter shall be deemed to be fulfilled if the results meet for each regulated pollutant (CO, HC, NOx and particulates) the following conditions:

(1)	M ≤ 0,85S + 0,4G

(2)

M ≤ G

where:

M	:	mean value of the emissions of one pollutant (CO, HC, NOx and particulates) or the sum of two pollutants (HC + NOx) obtained from the three type I tests with the replacement catalytic converter.
S	:	mean value of the emissions of one pollutant (CO, HC, NOx and particulates) or the sum of two pollutants (HC + NOx) obtained from the three type I tests with the original catalytic converter.
G	:	limit value of the emissions of one pollutant (CO, HC, NOx and particulates) or the sum of two pollutants (HC + NOx) according to the type approval of the vehicle(s) divided by — if applicable — the deterioration factors determined in accordance with paragraph 5.4. below.

Where approval is applied for different types of vehicles from the same car manufacturer, and provided that these different types of vehicles are fitted with the same type of original equipment catalytic converter, the type I testing may be limited to at least two vehicles selected after agreement with the technical service responsible for approval.

5.3.   Requirements regarding noise and vehicle performance

The replacement catalytic converter shall satisfy the technical requirements of Regulation No 59. As an alternative to the measurement of back-pressure as specified in Regulation No 59, the verification of the vehicle performance can be performed by measuring on a chassis dynamometer the maximum absorbed power at a speed corresponding to the engine maximum power. The value determined under reference atmospheric conditions as specified in Regulation No 85 with the replacement catalytic converter shall not be lower by more than 5 % than that determined with the original equipment catalytic converter.

5.4.   Requirements regarding durability

The replacement catalytic converter shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 5.3.5. of Regulation No 83, i.e. type V test or deterioration factors from the following table for the results of the type I tests.

Engine category	Deterioration factors
	CO	HC (2)	NOx  (2)	HC + NOx	Particulars
Positive-ignition	1,2	1,2	1,2	1,2 (3)	—
Compression ignition	1,1	—	1,0	1,0	1,2

Requirements regarding OBD compatibility (applicable only to replacement catalytic converters intended to be fitted to vehicles equipped with an OBD system).

OBD compatibility demonstration is required only when the original catalyst was monitored in the original configuration.

5.5.1.   The compatibility of the replacement catalytic converter with the OBD system shall be demonstrated by using the procedures described in the 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 83, Annex 11, Appendix 1.

5.5.2.   The provisions in the 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 83, Annex 11, Appendix 1 applicable to components other than the catalytic converter shall not be applied.

5.5.3.   The aftermarket manufacturer may use the same preconditioning and test procedure as used during the original type approval. In this case, the administrative departments shall provide, on request and on a non-discriminatory basis, Appendix 1 to the type approval communication which contains the number and type of preconditioning cycles and the type of test cycle used by the original equipment manufacturer for OBD testing of the catalytic converter.

5.5.4.   In order to verify the correct installation and functioning of all other components monitored by the OBD system, the OBD system shall indicate no malfunction and have no stored fault codes prior to the installation of any of the replacement catalytic converters. An evaluation of the status of the OBD system at the end of the tests described in paragraph 5.2.1 may be used for this purpose.

5.5.5.   The malfunction indicator (MI: see reference paragraph 2.5 of Annex 11 to the 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 83) must not activate during vehicle operation required by paragraph 5.2.2.

6.   MODIFICATION OF THE REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER TYPE AND EXTENSION OF APPROVAL

Every modification of the replacement catalytic converter type shall be notified to the administrative department which approved this type of replacement catalytic converter.

The department may then either:

(i)	consider that the modifications made are unlikely to have an appreciable adverse effect and that in any case the replacement catalytic converter still complies with the requirements, or

(ii)	require a further test report for some or all the tests described in paragraph 5 of this Regulation from the technical service responsible for conducting the tests.

Confirmation or refusal of approval, specifying the alteration, shall be communicated by the procedure specified in paragraph 4.5 above to the Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation.

The competent authority issuing the extension of approval shall assign a serial number to each communication form drawn up for such an extension.

7.   CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION

The conformity of production procedures shall comply with those set out in the Agreement, Appendix 2 (E/ECE/324-E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.2), with the following requirements.

7.1.   The replacement catalytic converters approved under this Regulation shall be so manufactured as to conform to the type approved in the characteristics as defined under paragraph 2.4 of this Regulation. They shall meet the requirements set forth in paragraph 5 and, where applicable, fulfil the requirements of the tests specified in this Regulation.

7.2.   The approval authority may carry out any check or test prescribed in this Regulation. In particular, the tests described in paragraph 5.2 of this Regulation (requirements regarding emissions) may be carried out. In this case, the holder of the approval may ask, as an alternative, to use as a basis for comparison not the original equipment converter, but the replacement catalytic converter which was used during the type approval tests (or another sample that has been proven to conform to the approved type). Emissions’ values measured with the sample under verification shall then on average not exceed by more than 15 % the mean values measured with the sample used for reference.

8.   PENALTIES FOR NONCONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION

8.1.   The approval granted in respect of a type of replacement catalytic converter pursuant to this Regulation may be withdrawn if the requirements laid down in paragraph 7 above are not complied with.

8.2.   If a Party to the Agreement which applies this Regulation withdraws an approval it has previously granted, it shall forthwith so notify the other Contracting Parties applying this Regulation, by means of a form conforming to the model in Annex 1 to this Regulation.

9.   PRODUCTION DEFINITIVELY DISCONTINUED

If the holder of the approval completely ceases to manufacture a type of replacement catalytic converter approved in accordance with this Regulation, he shall so inform the authority which granted the approval.

Upon receiving the relevant communication, that authority shall inform thereof the other Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation by means of a form conforming to the model in annex 1 to this Regulation.

10.   NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF TECHNICAL SERVICES RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING APPROVAL TESTS, AND OF ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS

The Contracting Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation shall communicate to the United Nations Secretariat the names and addresses of the technical services responsible for conducting approval tests and of the administrative departments which grant approval and to which forms certifying approval or extension or refusal or withdrawal of approval issued in other countries are to be sent.

11.   DOCUMENTATION

Each new replacement catalytic converter shall be accompanied by the following information:

11.1.1.   The catalyst manufacturer’s name or trade mark.

11.1.2.   The vehicles (including year of manufacture) for which the replacement catalytic converter is approved, including, where applicable, a marking to identify if the replacement catalytic converter is suitable for fitting to a vehicle that is equipped with an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system.

11.1.3.   Installation instructions, where necessary.

11.2.   This information shall be provided either:

(i)	as a leaflet accompanying the replacement catalytic converter; or

(ii)	on the packaging in which the replacement catalytic converter is sold; or

(iii)

by any other applicable means.

In any case, the information must be available in the product catalogue distributed to points of sale by the manufacturer of replacement catalytic converters.

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(1)  1 for Germany, 2 for France, 3 for Italy, 4 for the Netherlands, 5 for Sweden, 6 for Belgium, 7 for Hungary, 8 for the Czech Republic, 9 for Spain, 10 for Yugoslavia, 11 for the United Kingdom, 12 for Austria, 13 for Luxembourg, 14 for Switzerland, 15 (vacant), 16 for Norway, 17 for Finland, 18 for Denmark, 19 for Romania, 20 for Poland, 21 for Portugal, 22 for the Russian Federation, 23 for Greece, 24 for Ireland, 25 for Croatia, 26 for Slovenia, 27 for Slovakia, 28 for Belarus, 29 for Estonia, 30 (vacant), 31 for Bosnia and Herzegovina, 32 for Latvia, 33 (vacant), 34 for Bulgaria, 35-36 (vacant), 37 for Turkey, 38-39 (vacant), 40 for The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 41 (vacant), 42 for the European Community (Approvals are granted by its Member States using their respective ECE symbol, 43 for Japan, 44 (vacant), 45 for Australia and 46 for Ukraine. Subsequent numbers shall be assigned to other countries in the chronological order in which they ratify or accede to the Agreement concerning the Adoption of Uniform Technical Prescriptions for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be fitted and/or be used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the basis of these prescriptions, and the numbers thus assigned shall be communicated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Contracting Parties to the Agreement.

(2)  Applicable only to vehicles approved according to the 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 83.

(3)  Applicable only to positive-ignition engined vehicles approved according to earlier than 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 83.