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New EPA guidance blocks manufacturers from limiting farm equipment repairs

The U.S. EPA announced new guidance Monday that aims to protect farmers’ right to repair their own equipment.

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin says, “Farmers should be able to choose where and how their equipment is repaired, whether that’s by themselves, a local mechanic or a dealer.”

Zeldin says the agency’s guidance reaffirms that the Clean Air Act states that farmers and equipment owners are allowed to temporarily override emissions systems when it’s for the purpose of repair, and as long as the repair returns the equipment to compliance.

“The guidance applies to non-road diesel engines equipped with advanced emission control technologies,” he said. “This includes making repairs to diesel exhaust fluid, DEF systems, on non-road diesel engines.”

He says manufacturers can no longer use the Clean Air Act to justify limiting access to repair tools or software.

“Instead of a farmer being able to fix their own equipment in the field, or bring it down the road to their local repair shop, farmers have been forced to rely solely on authorized dealers for essential repairs, which are not always close by.”

Zeldin says the EPA’s action encourages the use of newer farm equipment.