EPA levies nearly $500,000 penalty on two aftermarket parts companies

While the companies are based in Cranbury, N.J., their ‘defeat devices’ were sold across the country

New York—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that two companies, PARTS iD, Inc. and PARTSiD, LLC (PARTSiD), will pay a penalty of nearly $500,000 in response to EPA claims that the companies illegally sold aftermarket products that disable vehicles’ emissions-control systems — known as defeat devices. While these companies are based in Cranbury, N.J., the devices were sold across the country.

Under a legal agreement with EPA, the company has stopped selling the illegal devices and will pay $491,474 for past violations. EPA found that PARTSiD sold hardware and software specifically designed to defeat required emissions controls on vehicles and engines, including aftermarket exhaust pipes; exhaust-related removal kits; and aftermarket computer software that can alter fuel delivery, power parameters, and emissions.

These components are part of vehicle emission control systems installed in most automobiles to meet federal emission standards, and typically control more than 90% of the regulated pollutants passing through them.